Murfreesboro Post
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Kindergarteners’ project produces tricycles for kids




Zora Bastoky, 2, takes her new adaptive tricycle out for a spin to the delight of her mother, Jenny Bastoky (left), kindergarteners at Primrose Schools and Ashley Schilling, president of Music City Trykes.JASON M. REYNOLDS

Zora Bastoky, 2, takes her new adaptive tricycle out for a spin to the delight of her mother, Jenny Bastoky (left), kindergarteners at Primrose Schools and Ashley Schilling, president of Music City Trykes.JASON M. REYNOLDS

A class of Murfreesboro kindergartners recently blessed two special needs children with specially designed tricycles.

Kindergarteners at Primrose Schools presented two adaptive tricycles to younger peers. They helped assemble the tricycles, said Susan Burrow, franchise owner of the daycare.

Rozlyn Steelman, age 3, and Zora Bastoky, age 2.5, received the trikes.

Rozlyn is the daughter of Rachel and Justin Steelman of Fayetteville. Rozlyn’s parents said she has been diagnosed with a chromosomal deletion syndrome that has no name because it is so rare.

Zora’s mother, Jenny, of Murfreesboro, said the trike will help Zora develop core strength and assist with coordination as well as developing new pathways in her brain.

The tricycles came from Music City Trykes, the regional chapter of an organization called National AMBUCS. Music City Trykes is a fully volunteer organization that has raised funds for and provided 613 adaptive tricycles in Middle Tennessee, said president Ashley Schilling, whose day job is working as a pediatric physical therapist.

Justin and Rachel Steelman help their daughter, Rozlyn, try out her new adaptive tricycle.JASON M. REYNOLDS

Justin and Rachel Steelman help their daughter, Rozlyn, try out her new adaptive tricycle.JASON M. REYNOLDS

The majority of tricycles are purchased by volunteer members of National AMBUCS and donated to financially needy children, according to Music City Trykes’ literature. Parents are invited to fundraise, with all funds going to purchase their child’s tricycle.

Music City Trykes provides about 100 tricycles per year, Schilling said, and has about 100 on its waiting list.

The adaptive tricycles are not covered by medical insurance, Schilling said. The organization is able to buy the tricycles wholesale, with a small trike costing $600 on average and a fully customized large trike for teens costing up to $1,500. A large trike could cost $3,000 to $5,000 retail, she said.

Burrow said the service project of building and presenting the tricycles fits within the curriculum that Primrose teaches children – namely, learning character traits such as compassion and kindness.

Pictured is the kindergarten class that helped assembly the tricycles, along with teacher Dawn McConnell (left) and Sharon Burrow, franchise owner of Primrose Schools.JASON M. REYNOLDS

Pictured is the kindergarten class that helped assembly the tricycles, along with teacher Dawn McConnell (left) and Sharon Burrow, franchise owner of Primrose Schools.JASON M. REYNOLDS

Every tricycle is custom designed for its rider, Schilling said. Once the child outgrows it, it is returned and the child is eligible for another tricycle. Returned tricycles are repurposed for other children.

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