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Chris Haverkort with one of his trikes for children with cerebral palsy - Source: ONE News -
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Dozens of New Zealand children with cerebral palsy are enjoying a better quality of life thanks to a new tricycle specially designed to suit their needs.
The alternative to a wheelchair is the brainchild of a West Auckland man whose own daughter suffers from the condition.
Chris Haverkort started making the trikes 12 years ago for his daughter Brooke because he wanted her to start school with confidence.
"They'd be around there on her bike, and they'd all want to have a go," Haverkort said.
Brooke struggles to take a few steps, but on the trike she is a force to be reckoned with and has even completed a half-marathon on three wheels.
"Every child that requires this type of equipment, should have a piece of this equipment," said Haverkort.
With funding from the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, he has set himself up at a local mechanics where he welds custom-made parts to create something specific for cerebral palsy sufferers.
"It's very manouverable...we've got different braking options for children with different abilities."
Families get the trikes for free and pass them on as they are outgrown. Many said their children have never been more confident and gain a social interaction with people which is often missing in their lives.
If you have a child with CP and want a trike you can contact IRIS Conductive Education in Auckland on 09-846 6295 ext 846 or the Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand 0800 503 603.
