Mount Residents Enjoy a Bicycle Built for Two

Grant Funding through LeadingAge WA Ignites the Age-Old Delight of Riding a Bike

John F. Kennedy said, “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike.” Of course, that still holds true today and now at The Mount we can add, “no matter one’s age.”

Thanks to grant funding facilitated by LeadingAge of Washington, The Mount received 3 specialized electric bikes called TriShaws and one wheelchair accessible unit through a program called Cycling without Age that began in Denmark in 2012. Stemming from one of the highest per capita bicycling countries in the world, the team at Cycling Without Age knew that a lifelong love of cycling shouldn’t be deterred by one’s physical abilities. Determined to help participants once again feel, “the wind in their hair” — the now global program is also in place at The Mount.

The success of the program relies on a wonderful collaboration between The Mount’s recreational coordinators and volunteers. Participants are seated at the front of the specialized bikes, which accentuates the feeling as if steering and riding themselves.

“It feels just like I was riding again,” exclaimed resident Pattie Kottas as she recalled the joy she felt as a young girl — riding, feeling independent

Continued on page 2

Kate Mitchell, 102, exclaims that she just loves the fresh air and seeing things up close and more clearly when she is out on the bike, as opposed to through a window from her room, “I’m discovering lots of new things,” she said.

Highlights From Wonderful Life Programming and Clinical Education

• Art classes resumed on a regular basis for Residents

• Entertainment returned to the building bringing joy to the residents in their neighborhoods

• Tri-Shaw electric bikes gave residents the opportunity to be a passenger on a ride around the campus and broader neighborhood

• Intergenerational Drama productions resumed performances in the Chapel

• The Chapel opened for family members to attend Mass and other services with residents

• 6 students successfully completed the new CNA training program

Continued from page 1 and free in the fresh air. She and husband Gene made The Mount their home about a year ago. “We love having things here at The Mount that we can enjoy together, like going out on the trishaw bikes.

If you’d be interested in becoming a volunteer to take Mount residents for a spin in the great outdoors, we’d love to hear from you. Please email Storey Squires for more information at storey.squires@providence.org

To donate to our Wonderful Life activities and outing expenses, please click here

Gratefully, and with support from the community and more volunteers, we hope to be cruising Lincoln Park and Alki Beach this summer.