It can be difficult for families with children, young and grown, with special needs to find activities that can bring them together.

That’s where Outdoors for All activities  came in for the Willaford family. Julie, Patrick’s mother, describes how the family used to try activities together, the challenges faced with standard cycling equipment and the positive turn around and encouragement after finding the adaptive options available for the family to be active together.

“Around (nine years ago), we stopped riding  bikes. It was quite difficult before. Patrick needed too many cues to be safe and that just seemed like nagging.

When we got involved with Outdoors for All ,first with kayaking, then into skiing, we said, well ‘What’s next?’ What else can we do with Outdoors for All? I got a cycling season pass and assumed that it would be me riding with Patrick. Well now, we all can ride!

It’s something we can do as a family. The only way we can do this (go cycling) is because of Outdoors for All and the Adaptive Cycling Center.”

– Julie Willaford

Mother of Outdoors for All Participant