McKeesport tween pedals past disability with gift
By Jennifer R. Vertullo
Friday, December 21, 2012
Photo Jennifer R. Vertullo / Daily News
Walking with help from parents Jeff and Bobbie List, 12-year-old Danielle List is surprised
to find her adaptive bicycle at McKeesport’s No. 2 fire station during a Thursday unveiling.
While many of her friends are anticipating
Santa’s arrival next week, Danielle List’s
Christmas wish was granted early.
As art of the Variety Children’s Charity of
Pittsburgh’s effort to provide adaptive
bicycles for kids with disabilities, Danielle,
12, of McKeesport, received her first bike.
Danielle, a fifth-grader at Francis McClure
Elementary / Intermediate school, was 10
months old when she was diagnosed with
congenital disorder glycosylation. Previously
known as carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein
syndrome, it causes malfunctions in the
nervous system and muscles because the body
cannot metabolize certain proteins and liquids.
For Danielle, the disorder greatly affected the
development of her cerebellum, which
controls balance and coordination, causing
problems with her fine and gross motor skills
and caused lesser problems in her liver and
kidneys.
“Her legs know left and right,” her mother
Bobbie List said. “They know to walk, but she
has no center of gravity.”
The disorder also affect’s Danielle’s muscle
production, in which even prolonged exercise
would not help her develop muscle tone.
“We are just so proud of her,” Bobbie said.
“Danielle works so hard every day just to do
the basic things we all take for granted.
They’re always a struggle for her, and she’s
always positive. She’s able to overcome all of
the challenges she’s faced, and she can ride a
bike.”
It’s something she really wanted – something
she’s been talking about for a month.”
On Nov. 5 Gov. Tom Corbett and Allegheny
County Executive Rich Fitzgerald helped
Variety kick off the My Bike campaign, which
helped the charity secure funds to provide
adaptive bikes to 200 children with special
needs before Christmas.
More than 80 children received bikes during
Thursday morning’s presentation in
Pittsburgh, and Variety CEO Charles LaVallee
traveled to McKeesport Fire Department No. 2
station to make a special presentation to where
Danielle’s father works.
“This is really the way it should be,” LaVallee
said. “Shouldn’t every kid get the bike in their
community with this kind of love?”
Danielle List pedal her adaptive bike.
Securing Danielle’s feet in the pedals of a
metallic green Rifton Ranger, her father, Jeff
List, was excited to watch her.
“For the first time in 12 years, my daughter is
riding her own bike,” he said. “Did you see
the look on her face? She’s doing something
that all other kids enjoy.”
After an overwhelming first time pedaling her
own bike while surrounded by family and
friends, her reaction was simple, yet positive.
“I like to drive,” Danielle said, looking
forward to opportunities to ride with friends in
her neighborhood.
Her parents said Danielle is being challenged
to races, which she is eager to experience.
“It’s nice to see her being able to be a kid,”
Bobbie List said. “This wasn’t a passing thing.
For many special needs children, adaptive
bicycles are enabling the experiences that
create memories – not only for the children
who ride, but for their families.
“What I hear from parents is that there are so
many things their kids can’t do, and riding a
bike is something they can do,” LaVallee said.
“With these bikes, kids are having typical
childhood experiences.”
Children who received adaptive bikes through
Variety are from towns across Allegheny,
Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Fayette,
Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and
Westmoreland counties.
More information about Variety is accessible
online at www.varietypittsburgh.org or by
calling 412-474-2680.
Jennifer R. Vertullo is a staff writer for Trib Total
Media. She can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext.
1956, or jvertullo@tribweb.com.