Learning to Cycle after Hip Dysplasia

The sun has been shining and it has been a day for playing outside.  We had a lovely afternoon and I decided to try Erin again with her bike.  We have been doing lots of physio exercises this past month to strengthen her little legs and joints.  It seemed the ideal time to have a go at learning to cycle after hip dysplasia.

We are spoilt for choice where we live, with lovely play areas for children, I watch with a heavy heart when I see other pre-schoolers scooting or learning to cycle their bikes with grins on faces and scrapes on their knees.

Our normal mode of transport is using a buggy, carrying Erin or occasionally cajoling her to walk.  I try not to compare after all few have been through hip dysplasia like Erin has.  Very few have not walked until they are almost two and nine months.  Yet she knows and today she had a little fire in her belly willing her to get those pedals moving, she wants to learn to ride a bike!

The bike was won in a competition when she was just a few months old, little did I know just how long she would have to wait to utilise it.  It has sat at the back of the garage along with the matching rollerskates (they will remain there I think!) gathering dust.   However today its was dragged out, the cobwebs brushed off so that she could have a go at learning to cycle.

We cleared the junk in front of it and brought it out of the garage.  She gasped and smiled her eyes full of determination.  She plopped on her helmet and sat on.  She took a while to get the bike going.  Her legs didn’t realise they have to go all the way around.  But then…..

I am really proud of Erin learning to cycle, sure it is with stabilizers but it demonstrates the determination that our hip kids show. I am sure in time her balance will continue to improve and we can progress to the next stage of learning to cycle after hip dysplasia.

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9 Responses

  1. Emma, this brought a tear to my eye. My daughter is 2 and 4 months and started walking properly last week, 9 months after being out of spica. I’m still amazed every day that she can actually let go of my hand and not only walk but run! She is loving her new found freedom. I’m hoping to try her on a bike this summer and I know it will be an amazing moment. I have been following you for a while and it’s so good to see Erin doing so well 🙂

  2. Bless her – how fantastic – way to go Erin! Riding a bike is something others often take for granted, my youngest son can’t either due to hypermobility and very unstable knee joints. I know how I would feel if he finally made it!
    Thanks for linking up #samedifference

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