CARLTON JACKSON STORY

Most kids who are about to turn 16 years of age ask their parents for the keys to the car, but not Carlton Jackson of Searcy, all he wanted was to ride a bicycle.

Carlton, who has Downs Syndrome and a respiratory condition that has required him to have a tracheostomy, had his dream fulfilled on his 16th birthday thanks to the staff of Professional Home Care of Batesville, Arkansas Therapeutic Recreation Society and Wal-Mart Inc.

Carlton received his first bike, well not exactly a bike, it is an adult tricycle, on August 25. The gift was a surprise for Carlton. Tracy Baxter of Professional Home Care said she began the campaign to get Carlton a bike when she found out he would sit and watch his cousins and other kids in the neighborhood ride their bikes and dream of joining them. “Carlton is such a good kid and we wanted to fulfill this dream for him, but we didn’t have the funds to purchase the bike,” she said.

Baxter contacted Increasing Capabilities Access Network (ICAN) a special program under the umbrella of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. ICAN’s mission is to increase awareness and provide access to assistive technology to all Arkansans with disabilities. ICAN could not provide funding for the bike for Carlton, but as part of the program’s information and referral service, ICAN contacted Cathi McMahan, president of the Arkansas Therapeutic Recreation Society (ARTS). “We were very pleased to be able to help purchase this bicycle for Carlton as it fit perfectly with ARTS’s mission,” McMahan said. ARTS is a non-profit organization composed of about 75 recreational therapists from around the state and its mission is to promote public awareness and understanding of therapeutic recreation along with being advocates for recreation for individuals with disabilities. ATRS was founded in 1994 and from the beginning has contributed to community-based organizations and events that promote recreation/therapeutic recreation for individuals with disabilities. ATRS wishes Carlton the best and hope that this bicycle brings him many moments of enjoyment.

Baxter then contacted Harold Simpson, manager of the Searcy Wal-Mart, who agreed to order the tricycle, assemble it and provide some funding toward its purchase. The remaining funds came from donations from staff at Professional Home Care. A helmet, knee and elbow pads were also purchased for Carlton.

The excitement was evident on Carlton’s face when he first saw the bike, but before taking his first ride, he gave everyone a big “thank you.” Rebecca Pearrow, board member of ATRS, and Carlton’s sister, Katilia assisted Carlton in taking his first ride. It won’t be long before Carlton will be riding solo around the neighborhood.