I want to ride my bicycle: How we helped Loki keep up with his friends

When Loki struggled to keep up with his friends on their bikes, our Children’s Therapies Service started working with him and his family to help. Nina Carr met Loki and his occupational therapists at a special bicycle skills workshop for children.

Nine-year-old Loki Drzymalski from Sellindge near Ashford is on the right track to an easier ride this summer, after completing a targeted intervention as part of his occupational therapy (OT) programme.

We met Loki on his final hour-long session at multi-agency specialist family hub, the Rainbow Centre’s outdoor space in Ashford, where he’d had ‘the best day’.

Loki was referred to our Children’s Therapies Service last year, after his school flagged concerns about coordination and handwriting, suspecting dyspraxia.

Colleagues from our southeast Kent team worked with Loki, his family and school, to identify the barriers to physical development and come up with recommendations to make everyday skills easier.

Loki with his family at home.

Mum Jennifer, 37, explained: “When his therapist asked him what he wanted to do, he said he’d love to be able to ride his bike to and from school, like his friends do.”

Occupational Therapist Andrea Clark said: “Finding out what matters most to children, and working with their families, is key to helping them develop independent skills.

Loki was enrolled on the course and attended the face-to-face sessions after completing a tiered approach of targeted advice, which included practising at home with family and alternative equipment recommendations.

Andrea continued: “Learning to ride a bike can be a defining moment in childhood and bike rides with friends and family can make up years of play time and exercise.

“Successful cycling is about more than pedalling. You navigate several techniques at once.”

The intervention is just one of many tailored initiatives provided by our service. The community team is made up of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, education specialists, specialist nurse advisors and care coordinators.