It was a day to remember for Jorge Elias, a 2022 graduate of Mayfield High School and participant in the Las Cruces Public Schools Bridge Program. Yesterday he received a cobalt blue adaptive cycle through the Everybody Rides With Grace initiative, in partnership with Velo Cruces.
Currently, Jorge uses his electric wheelchair to get around from place to place. The adaptive bike works as a therapeutic mode of transportation for Jorge to stretch his legs, move his joints, and stay mobile.
“I am happy,” Jorge Elias said with a smile.
The adaptive cycle, designed to increase mobility and independence, symbolizes more than just transportation, it reflects a community-driven effort to support people with unique abilities. The Everybody Rides With Grace program aims to provide adaptive bikes to children and young adults, promoting inclusion, freedom, and active lifestyles.
“You can tell, even the tiniest gestures mean so much to someone like Jorge. He’s so appreciative, and his parents are as well,” said Melissa Placencio, a one-on-one educational assistant with the LCPS Special Education Program. “It’s tremendous when people in the community step up to help. They are so grateful; you can see it on their faces.”
Jorge also works closely with a team of speech-language pathologists who work diligently to make sure he has the tools he needs to communicate effectively. Recently, he received a telecommunications device that uses text-to-speech technology, allowing him to connect with his family, teachers, and friends. It’s a tool he’ll keep and continue using in the future, including with potential employers.
Jorge’s new cycle was made possible thanks to a grant from the NM Outdoor Equity Fund in partnership with Every Body Rides with Grace Program. The program also received key support from the Holguin family, whose ongoing partnership with the LCPS Bridge Program continues to enhance the lives of participating young adults.
“It is incredibly impactful for young adults like Jorge to receive this kind of support from community partnerships,” Ortega said. “These partnerships expand the reach of our transition program—helping students build confidence, stay engaged in their communities, and make progress toward their goals.”
The LCPS Bridge Program is a collaborative initiative involving local high schools and businesses that supports young adults ages 18 to 21 with unique abilities. The program offers life skills training, vocational education, and work-based learning opportunities to help students transition into the workforce and adult life with confidence.
To learn more about the Everybody Rides With Grace program, visit https://www.velocruces.org/ride-with-grace.
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