Publix employee with Down Syndrome gets big surprise, pays it forward

by Veronica Citron from Bay News 9: ST. PETE BEACH --  Sean Walerski is a staple at the Publix on Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach. He’s been bagging groceries and stocking shelves there for 9 years.
“I love my customers,” the 29-year-old said.
Walerski has Down Syndrome and relies on his bike to get to work. That bike was stolen last week. 
“Some people are rude ... not cool and not nice,” he said.
Upset about the theft, Walerski vented to shoppers going through the checkout line. Some of those shoppers were St. Pete Beach firefighters. 
“We went into Publix the other day and saw our buddy Sean and he was upset. He told us it was because his bicycle was stolen,” said firefighter Brian Peterson.
The firefighters were moved and bought Walerski a new bike.
“Sean just reaches out to us every day ... makes us happy, makes us smile," Peterson said. "We just wanted to do something to repay that to him.”
Walerski wanted to pay it forward, too. He used the cash some shoppers gave him for a new bike to buy a Publix gift card for the firefighters at Station 23.
Sean’s mother, Rebecca Walerski, is grateful for the generosity.
“Thank you to all of the customers who’ve shown such kindness to him, and the guys at the fire station and everyone who's listened to his story,” she said.

Camp Helps Kids With Down Syndrome Learn To Ride Bikes

Camps are a summer staple and at St. Scholastica a camp all about bikes just wrapped up.
"Strider bikes are balance bikes without pedals," Physical Therapy Assistant Professor Karen Swanson said.
The bike camp is for all kids, but there's a focus on helping kids with down syndrome.
"A lot of people believe that they can never learn how to ride a bike," Swanson said.
Swanson is working to shatter that stereotype. She said it's important for kids with down syndrome to be able to do the same things their siblings can do.

Lose The Training Wheels

from Media-Newswire.com:

Children with disabilities such as Down syndrome will be taught to ride two-wheeled bikes – gaining confidence and independence in the process – at Lose the Training Wheels, a program of the Center for Community Inclusion at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University and the Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation June 27-July 1.

With the help of volunteers, family members and C.W. Post students, approximately 40 children will use adaptive equipment in a week of training and practice. At the end of the five-day program, they will be ready to ride on their own.

For many children with disabilities, riding a two-wheeler is a seemingly impossible task. Past experience at the Center for Community Inclusion and in Lose the Training Wheels programs around the country shows that within days of learning to ride, many children exhibit independent behaviors for the first time ever. This achievement, in turn, creates a gateway of opportunity, helping them gain assurance and self-reliance in many other aspects of their lives.

“The program serves a critical community need in a creative, humanitarian way that involves a collaboration among our skilled and dedicated faculty, college students who are preparing for careers in the field of special education, and young people with and without developmental disabilities,” said Dr. Kathleen Feeley, assistant professor of special education and literacy at C.W. Post and founder of the Center for Community Inclusion. “The program helps students with developmental disabilities to build self-esteem and independence.”

Lose The Training Wheels is a national organization that uses adaptive equipment, trained professionals and volunteers. With 75 minutes of instruction each day for five days, approximately 85 percent of participants learn to ride a conventional bicycle independently. Sponsors include Mineola Bicycle, Fitness & Mower and Kelly Development.

The Center for Community Inclusion at C.W. Post is dedicated to providing resources to school districts, service providers, and families so that individuals with disabilities will meet with success in inclusive environments.

The Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded by a group of individuals who have children or family members with Down syndrome, dedicated to ensuring that individuals with Down syndrome have equal access to schools, leisure activities, employment, and housing.