The wind in your hair, the freedom of the open road, and new adventures around every corner. We all remember our first bicycle. It’s a big deal. Your first set of wheels.

For years, Raylan experienced the bike life from behind his mom or dad’s bike, being pulled on an attached trailer. At age three, Raylan was diagnosed with Syngap 1 and epilepsy, making bike riding a difficult task. In true sibling form, Raylan would try to sneak a ride on his brother’s bike but couldn’t quite find the balance. However, at school, Raylan often rode the adaptive bikes with no trouble. This was the beginning of Raylan’s dream.

While working with Make-A-Wish Wyoming’s Wish Volunteers, Raylan’s mom, Mickey, helped bring his wish of having his own adaptive bike come true. As a bike mechanic, Mickey wanted to build the bike herself. While Make-A-Wish Wyoming would normally provide the assembly, we sourced all the parts and components for Raylan’s bike and sent them to Mickey to build. Using her unique skill set, she set the bike up exactly to Raylan’s needs and specifications, including all the bells, LED lights, and the personalized license plate with his name.

When it was time for the unveiling, Raylan’s friends, family, and Make-A-Wish Wyoming volunteers gathered to celebrate his very own set of wheels. The event was geared towards Raylan with all eyes on him and his bike, which his mom felt added that special touch as special needs children oftentimes feel isolated.

At first sight, Raylan was excited to hop on and take a ride, but it hadn’t settled in yet that the bike was his to keep. Once he and his family returned home and Raylan saw the bike in their garage, that’s when he realized it was all his. He ran to the bike and jumped on it begging his mom to let him take another ride.

At seven years old, being a part of the neighborhood bike gang is a big deal. However, with out-of-town doctor visits to missing opportunities outdoors due to his condition, Raylan hadn’t been able to join the bike gang. Now, with a bike of his own, Raylan rides with his brothers and the other neighborhood kids.

“His bike gives him a different freedom in the outdoors. It gives him the ability to hang out and ride his bike with the other kids, which he didn’t have before. We have seen him blossom and learn how to steer and pedal,” Mickey said. “I really like the sense of freedom it has given him. There has never been a time on that bike that he’s not smiling.”

As part of a family who spends time outside, especially riding bikes, Raylan can ride independently on a bike made just for him. Now it’s Raylan’s brothers who try to sneak a ride on his bike.