Freedom: Jaxon Taylor swapped his wheelchair for a bicycle. Picture: Mike Sea.
WHEN six-year-old Blacktown resident Jaxon Taylor was helped from his wheelchair and on to his first bicycle, the sight brought tears to his mother's eyes.
Jaxon's muscular dystrophy means he needs a wheelchair to get around, but that had never stopped him wanting to ride a bicycle like his friends did.
"I would never think that I couldn't go on a bike because I am in a wheelchair," a bright-eyed Jaxon said.
But for mum Lija Taylor, her son's determination presented a challenge.
"I didn't know what we were going to do," Mrs Taylor said.
"We were sitting in the Children's Hospital at Westmead and we saw a brochure for these bikes and it was really exciting for us.
"It was great when he had his cousins over and he could ride with them.
"We got a bit teary; you never think you could find something like that."
Jaxon's bike was custom-built to give him support by Northmead not-for-profit company, TAD Disability Services.
The specially-built bike has a frame that supports Jaxon and secures his body with a harness.
Although he has difficulty using his legs, the bike has balancing wheels and a gear system that makes it easier to ride once Jaxon gets rolling.
TAD chief executive Alan McGregor said the company produced about 1000 bikes and pieces of equipment a year to help get people with disabilities active.
The company survives on a budget of $1.6 million a year, sourced partially from government grants and client fees, but mostly from fund-raising.
"But this is the little miracle," he said. "Watching Jaxon ride, to see this little fella come in in a wheelchair and now riding around . . . it's a magic moment."