Afton teen enters The Great Bike Giveaway

Donovin Teague, 15, of Afton has entered into The Great Bike Giveaway. His mother Jessica Teague explained that, due to his cerebral palsy, autism and other disabilities stemming from a brain injury he obtained at 8 weeks old from being shaken, Donovin is unable to use a typical bike.

“He’s had a bike before, but he outgrew it, and these bikes are very expensive,” Jessica said. “He has a trampoline that helps his upper legs and not his lower legs because he can’t walk on his feet without his walker.”

Jessica explained Donovin loves to watch cars and bikes out the window. Joining them again after outgrowing his old bike would be a dream-come-true.

“He would be excited,” Jessica said. “Whenever he’s passing the other kids on their bikes, he’ll grin ear to ear.”

In addition to the joy it would cause, Jessica said it would also help his lower leg muscles grow.

The Great Bike Giveaway, created by The Friendship Circle in 2011, tries to get adaptive bikes into the hands of children with disabilities. According to their website, The Friendship Circle “works with adaptive bike companies from around the world to provide adaptive bikes to children and teens with special needs.”

Jessica hopes to get Donovin a Rifton Large bike, as it would be able to grow with Donovin through the years. She explained there are multiple ways in which they could win this bike.

“If he gets his goal in donations he could win a bike, or if he gets the most votes, he can win a bike,” Jessica said.

Donovin’s donation goal is $3,200. Voting for the 2023 edition of The Great Bike Giveaway runs from March 1 to March 29, with results announced on March 30. Fundraising continues until April 18. Supporters can go to https://www.greatbikegiveaway.com/Donovin to vote and donate to the Teague effort.