Jaxson’s story is unique. He has overcome challenging obstacles in his life through perseverance, dedication and hard work. Jaxson was 8 years old when we adopted him from China. He was the result of China’s 1 child policy at that time. In China Jaxson lived in an orphanage, an institution where his basic needs (shelter, food, and clothing) were met. He had no personal possessions. This included clothes, toys or his own toothbrush. There was a lack of emotional support provided to the orphans. This was the extent of his life. Then suddenly he had a family of 8, including 2 brothers and 3 sisters. He moved across the world, had to learn a new language, eat different food and attend school. Jaxson suffered from abandonment issues. He was either in fight or flight mode. He also struggled with attachment issues. He had no idea how to give or receive a hug or kiss. When we met him, we were told that he wanted to learn to ride a bike. We knew Jaxson had eye issues before adopting him. Once we were in the United States, Jaxson was diagnosed with alternating exotropia, basically both eyes were misaligned and faced outward. When his right eye looked forward his left eye turned outward and when the left eye looked forward his right eye turned out. After four eye surgeries in 3 years his eyes no longer turned outward, but he had other eye problems. The ophthalmologist told us Jaxson had poor depth perception and poor peripheral vision. Since both of these are needed for maintaining balance the ophthalmologist said Jaxson would never ride a bike.
In July 2019, Jaxson was almost 12 years old, he decided he would ride a bike. We took the peddles off an old bike of his brothers and he practiced trying to get his balance. Up and down our sidewalk he went, morning, afternoon and night. After a couple of days, he had balance figured out so the pedals went back on. Up and down our sidewalk he would go all day long. In nine days, he was riding his bike! His perseverance paid off. He was so proud of his accomplishment. He wobbled at first but soon he joined his sister and dad as they rode the trails around Lake Zorinisky.
In April 2020, just nine months after learning to ride his bike, Jaxson had a terrible bike accident. He was trying to beat his sister, and he took a curve too fast, hit some loose gravel. Instead of using his brakes he put his left foot down and he wiped out. He had a spiral fracture of his left femur, requiring surgery to place a metal rod in his femur. We figured he would give up riding a bike, but he didn’t. After 3 months of recovery, he began riding again.
Jaxson loved bike riding. He’d map out different routes to take, and he’d try to make each one a little longer. About the time Jaxson taught himself to ride his bike he was diagnosed with Autism. Autism is a way some people’s brains develop that can make social communication, understanding others, and handling sensory input different from most people. Because of this, autistic people may communicate more directly, miss social cues, or feel overwhelmed in conversations or group settings. Jaxson was a loner in elementary school. He couldn’t connect with kids and struggled with talking to his classmates. Jaxson sniffed papers, rocked back and forth in his seat, scratched his desk and randomly jumped in the air walking in the hallways (his speed bump) to calm and regulate himself. He connected better with adults than his classmates.
During the spring of his 8th grade year Jaxson attended a MW Mountain Biking Club event at Beadle Middle School. He loved it, especially watching the guys do fancy moves and jumps! He said he wanted to do it. I thought mountain biking would be a great activity for Jaxson to be involved in during high school. He LOVED riding his bike! I admit I was naive in what was involved with mountain biking. I was thinking of long rides on paved trails. Imagine my surprise when I found out that its’ dirt trails, sharp turns, hills and uneven ground. Now I was hesitant to let Jaxson join, but the coaches encouraged me to let him try. So, we started practicing that summer with the team. Jaxson practiced A LOT of level pedals!
The coaches at Millard West were amazingly patient. During practices Jaxson would stop to feel the roots he was riding over or push his bike up a hill or walk his bike through a tight turn. The coaching staff supported him through all of this at each practice. And he improved.
Jaxson’s first year we thought he could just practice with the team. But, in September Coach Ryan felt Jaxson was ready to try a race. Coach Ryan reassured me that Jaxson could handle the Black Elk-Neihardt Park race in Blair. He arranged for Coach Jason to ride behind Jaxson during the entire race to give advice and motivation. I remember that first race, the excitement in the air, the fear in my gut and the HUGE smile on Jaxson’s face when he crossed the finish line with everyone cheering and cow bells ringing. Jaxson isn’t a fast rider, but he is a determined rider. It doesn’t bother him if we pull him after 2 laps instead of the 3 that everyone else does. He is proud of himself! This is his sport and his team!
Mountain biking has given Jaxson a sense of belonging, healing some of his abandonment issues. It built up his confidence to try new things, increased his self-esteem, and helped him to initiate conversations. He has learned how to interact with teammates at team dinners and races. Jaxson has gone from having one friend in fourth grade to having several friends including his mountain biking teammates. He has the confidence to interact and be friends with the MW girls’ softball and basketball teams. None of this would be possible without the Nebraska Interscholastic Cycling League and their core values: fun, inclusivity, equity, respect and community. Please support this great organization!