The Huntersville boy rode on his first adaptable bike thanks to “Variety,” a children’s charity based in Pittsburgh.

Houser was born with a rare genetic disorder known as Coffin-Siris Syndrome, which causes developmental delays such as a low muscle tone and some cognitive issues related to speech.

Wyatt and other youths with special physical and developmental challenges warmly received custom-made mobility equipment at a special presentation at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Field House.

Each child received their new adaptive bikes and strollers, then took part in a memorable parade and celebration as their families tested out their equipment for the first time.

Parents and children are all smiles as they circle the Field House in a “parade” during the presentation of adaptive bikes and strollers at the Field House on the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus. Variety Children’s Charity and BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, Penn College and Blackburn’s partnered to provide 18 adaptive bikes and 3 adaptive strollers to local kids from Lycoming, Tioga and Bradford Counties. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

His dad, Geoff, pushed Wyatt as nurse Amanda, from Milton, looked on.

The products were made possible through Variety’s partnership with BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, Penn College and Blackburn.

“We already got one of their strollers last year,” nurse Amanda said. “We are fortunate that there is a company like that which can support kids like Wyatt to be able to let him (them) do what other kids do.”

“An adaptive bike will impact my child by allowing him to finally feel the joy and independence of being able to ride a bike, while improving his physical activity,” said Shannon, mother to 12-year-old Caden of Muncy.

As of this week, Variety will have presented 215 adaptive bikes, adaptive strollers, or communication devices (worth more than $327,000 in equipment) to local youths in the region from Lycoming, Bradford, Sullivan and Tioga counties service area for BLaST IU 17.

Geoff Houser and his son Wyatt both of Huntersville on an adaptive stroller during the presentation of adaptive bikes and strollers at the Field House on the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus. Variety Children’s Charity and BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, Penn College and Blackburn’s partnered to provide 18 adaptive bikes and 3 adaptive strollers to local kids from Lycoming, Tioga and Bradford Counties. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Logan Miller, 12, of Sayre, soon to be 13, received his adaptive white color bike. Katie is his mom. She said they planned to ride it outside and that it was his first bike. Logan’s mom said she heard about the program through Athens School District.

Tom Baker, chief executive officer of the charity, said it was his second time back in Williamsport.

“Our hearts are warm because there are so many kind, good people in this room,” he said. “Variety, an international non-profit organization, started in Pittsburgh and covers 59 counties across the Commonwealth. Last year, Variety celebrated with its 3,000 bike presentation on television on Pittsburgh Today Live.”

“You are amazing. You are incredible,” said Molly Crawford, Variety program manager.

“We are now officially over 8,000 pieces of equipment distributed to children across 59 counties in Pennsylvania,” she said.

Karrie Croucher and her son Messiah, 6, both of Williamsport leave to go back to their truck with their new adaptive bike during the presentation of adaptive bikes and strollers at the Field House on the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus. Variety Children’s Charity and BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, Penn College and Blackburn’s partnered to provide 18 adaptive bikes and 3 adaptive strollers to local kids from Lycoming, Tioga and Bradford Counties. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Variety has three main programs: My Bike, My Stroller and My Voice.

“We have heard from so many families that received the equipment . . . the impact of this equipment,” Crawford said.

The mother of Penelope, who received a pink bike, calls this mobile device a “relationship builder.”

“It has created an activity Penelope and her father and her siblings can do together,” Crawford explained.

Ella was so excited to get her bike that she ran into the room with her helmet already on looking for her bike.

She is one of the youngest of her siblings and the family has a bike trail near their house.

She has tried and tried to ride every type of bike there was and could not.

“She struggled,” Crawford said. “Her mom was so excited when they found this program. She took off right away on this bike.”

The bikes bring the siblings together because they become excited for a brother or sister to get the bike.

It is also a program about community as children are finally able to ride in the neighborhood with their family and their friends who have bikes.

One sibling had a bike, but had no interest in riding one because her sister could not ride. That is not happening any longer.

One of the more impactful community stories shared was that of a young boy who rode up and down his street without assistance and made friends.

Variety received a video from the family of this boy riding with his friends. The young boy was invited to go down a giant water slide because he was able to get there.

Families no longer have to split up for hours. Some wheelchairs do not go in concrete, corn mazes or stone paths. Now, because of the adaptive stroller, the boy using it can go to the corn maze in the fall.

This family can go to a beach and Disney theme parks, and other amusement parks and many other places.

“For the first time they were able to enjoy that together,” Crawford said.

The devices permit the user and their families to have a renewed freedom. When a mother first saw the stroller she was in tears as she, for the first time, could see everyone going to a restaurant and having a meal together.

Another program that people attach to is the My Voice program. Examples were shown how the communication device is used in the school to communicate with the teachers and begin a process of interaction and further education.

One of the My Voice users takes it to her job at PNC Park in Pittsburgh to help her take orders.

“We have so many stories of parents and grandparents hearing the words ‘I love you’ for the first time,” Crawford said.

One of the first communication devices approved a year ago, the mom said ‘I am so excited to get to know my son better,’” she said. A few weeks later, the first thing the child said was ‘I love mom,’ and the speech therapist and myself were sitting back on our computers crying because we were so touched by this moment.”

Finally, there was a boy who used the communication device because he wanted to show his abilities to the world.

“I find so much hope in this message,” Crawford said. “Our communities are missing out without them.”

The charity can always use financial donations.

“We are so excited to help give you the confidence and empowerment to get out into your communities,” said Dr. Christina Steinbacher-Reed, BLaST IU 17 executive director.

BLaST IU 17 partnered with Variety in 2018, she said.

“Before then, we did not have this gift available through our region,” Steinbacher-Reed said.

“Through the partnership, we have been able to gift over 215 pieces of equipment,” she said.

The funding for this came through Variety and their generous donors across the state. Today, however, there has been a little bit of a shift in those funding streams.

“As a result, moving forward we will need to be able to raise those funds here at the local level,” Steinbacher-Reed said.

“We need your help in order to sustain what we are doing and keep it moving forward. We are going to be partnering with our local businesses, our citizens, and our donors.”

“Our families here know best the impact that this equipment has. It is truly life changing,” Steinbacher-Reed said.