A young Saanich girl who was tragically paralyzed at a young age is currently in the lead to win a tandem wheelchair bicycle that would allow her to traverse the capital region’s bike trails with her loved ones.
Leila Bui was struck by a vehicle in 2017 at 11-years-old. She was paralyzed and suffered severe brain injuries in the collision that would change her life forever.
Her family and friends have now rallied behind her to bring the joy of riding bikes back into her life.
The Great Bike Giveaway is having a contest geared toward those who are not able-bodied by giving away a free adaptable bike which would allow Bui to participate in bike rides with her sister and mother who are trying to help her win.
The contest has three ways to win a bike — donations, a random draw and a vote.
The registrant with the most votes wins a bike and currently, Bui is in first place in the voting category under her mother’s name, Kerry Nguyen.
For the random draw, once a registrant hits 50 votes their name is entered in a draw for their bike of choice.
As for the donation way to win, Bui needs to reach her goal in donations to have a chance at winning the contest this way. As of this publication, $2,595 of the $5,570 goal has been raised.
All donations go toward the Great Bike Giveaway which procures adaptive bikes for special-needs cyclists.
To vote and/or donate for Nguyen on behalf of her daughter, visit their page on the Great Bike Giveaway’s website.
“My daughter, Leila, prior to her accident loved to bike,” said Nguyen on her daughter’s voting/donating page.
“Due to a major traumatic brain injury that has left her unable to speak, with very little-to-no communication ability, no voluntary movements of her body, 24-hour care and wheelchair-bound.”
“We know being able to take her out on a bike to ride with the rest of the family would bring her great joy.”
The bike Bui is hoping to win is the DUET Wheelchair Bicycle Tandem which can accommodate wheelchair bound individuals over 2-years-old. It is designed for safety and ease-of-use and costs around $5,500 for a basic model.
