Southeast Alberta charity motorcycle ride to help 4-year-old boy from Bow Island with K1F1A syndrome

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Emerson Wikkerink (Image Credit: Submitted Photo)

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Foundation president Ivan Reimer said due to the syndrome, Wikkerink has multiple issues that he’s dealing with.

“The biggest being the fact that he does not have enough muscle tone in his legs to be able to walk,” Reimer said.

“Our goal is to raise enough money to be able to help them buy a set of robotic legs.”

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Emerson Wikkerink (Image Credit: Submitted Photo)

Wikkerink has used robotic leg equipment during treatments at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. The equipment has a price tag of about $65,000.

In a letter to the foundation, the Wikkerink family says they found out their son had health struggles at around seven months old when he wasn’t making eye contact with them when they called his name or tried to get his attention.

They later found out that he has a very rare chromosome disorder that causes vision loss, low muscle tone, a small head, and makes him mostly non-verbal. Although Emerson is known to say Mama and Dada often.

Encouraging for the family is that even with all these health obstacles, Emerson still smiles through it all, including multiple trips to the children’s hospital in Calgary, travelling for weekly physio, and other appointments.

They say that Emerson loves going swimming and listening to music, and enjoys doing anything with his family, especially with his two older sisters.

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Emerson Wikkerink with his family. (Image Credit: Submitted Photo)

The family says that Emerson can pull himself up to stand on a sturdy object, can crawl and is very quick when he wants to be.

The Ridin’ for Kids Foundation was established six years ago to help local families facing significant medical challenges.

Since then, the volunteer-run organization has put each dollar raised towards this. Last year’s fundraiser generated more than $76,000.

The event has support around the Medicine Hat area.

It begins on the Saturday with a donated pancake breakfast, supplied by the Irvine Hotel, where the ride will begin. That takes place on the Saturday of the event between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

From there, motorbike riders will travel to the Bow Island Legion before heading to the Hays Campground, where multiple energy-based businesses have sponsored a barbecue for the riders.

Next, the route will continue through Redcliff before ending at Dayz Off Pub in Medicine Hat, where a silent and live auction will be held.

Reimer credits the success of the fundraiser to community support and the dedication of volunteers.

“It has gotten bigger and bigger every year, and the community has been incredibly supportive when it comes to Ridin for Kids,” Reimer said.

Anyone wishing to support this year’s campaign can attend the ride, donate auction items or contribute directly through the foundation.

Monetary donations can be made through e-transfer at ridinforkids@gmail.com.

Donations can be made to the silent or live auction by contacting 780-897-2212.

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Emerson Wikkerink (Image Credit: Submitted Photo)