Funds appeal for life-changing adapted trike for Sam, 13

A 13-year-old boy who is severely autistic and needs 24-hour supervision is in need of funds to pay for an adapted trike.

Sam Coley, who lives in Bilston, has the mental age of a three-year-old and is unable to ride an average bike – as he has no danger or spatial awareness and cannot steer independently.

The teenager, who his mother Claire says is full of energy and smiles, usually visits his local swimming pool for much-needed exercise, but the pair have been unable to access their local facility due to Covid restrictions.

Claire branded the adapted equipment as "the ideal solution" for them, as it would enable them to safely get out and about together with ease – something which they haven't been able to do recently.

Claire said: "It is so difficult for both of us to find activities for Sam and things that we can do together. As he’s getting older, it is getting harder to find things to do with him that he is interested in especially at the moment.

“Because he has got a lot of pent-up energy, he struggles in the house a lot and that’s when he will turn to self-harming behaviour, hitting and smacking. He will throw himself onto the floor straight onto his knees – as he is going through puberty he’s having a lot of emotional outbursts.”

Sam's occupational therapist said he had access to trampolines and treadmills at school, needs a lot of exercise and movement breaks. The family have a treadmill at home, but Claire has to be by his side constantly as he has a tendency to start climbing on the equipment or trying to run at high speed.

Owning the trike will allow Sam, who is a member of an inclusive choir, and his mother to sit securely side by side and get some much-needed exercise and to spend quality time together.

Claire added: “When we can get out into nature and access outside with the trike, it will reduce the number of his outbreaks massively.

“When we are both inside all day, we just need a release – even if it is just a cycle around the estate. If we are in the house and he is struggling I can just say come on let’s get outside for a cycle.

"It will just make both of our lives that much better and daily life a lot easier, especially in the school holidays.”

The children’s charity Children Today recently awarded Sam a £1,000 grant to go towards the cost of the equipment. But the family still need a further £4,000 to fully fund Sam’s life-enhancing trike.

The Fun2Go side by side bike, which has two seats and two sets of pedals, will allow Sam and his mother to sit next to each other – while his mum steers he can burn off some energy through pedalling. With Sam securely fastened in, Claire has peace of mind and can spend quality time with her son while they both enjoy the fresh air together.

Claire said: “We have had a go on the trike and it was amazing. It’ll be lovely to have that quality time sat next to him, communicating with him and pointing at things.

"I can see whether he is enjoying it and I will be able to spot the signs for when his anxiety may be building up and get back home where I know he’s safe.

“The electric setting will be a great tool when we are tired or going up a hill. We can also use it if we need to get back home quickly – if he starts to panic when we are out and about.”

To make a donation to help fund Sam’s much-needed adapted trike visit his online fundraising page at justgiving.com/campaign/Sams-trike