'She's a Firecracker': Will Co. Girl, 3, In Running For Adaptive Bike

PEOTONE, IL — Someday, you might see Dixie Mae Barclay standing in front of the American Idol judges, belting out Britney Spears, or maybe Taylor Swift. The 3-year-old loves to sing, and has quite the presence, her mother Jessica says. But that dream seems a long way off for the pint-sized, pig-tailed pre-schooler, and her family has another one in mind for now.

They'd like her to be able to ride a bike.

The Peotone girl, who was born with spina bifida, is not currently able to stand or walk on her own, making the normalcy of riding a bike seem far out of reach. But if her family can win her an adaptive bike, she could experience the same thrill and fun as so many other kids her age.

Dixie is one of hundreds in the running for adaptive bikes through the Great Bike Giveaway, a contest through Friendship Circle. A Michigan-based nonprofit, Friendship Circle provides programs and support to the families of individuals with special needs, as well as bringing together teenage volunteers and children with special needs for hours of fun and friendship. The bike giveaway creates a platform for families of those with special needs to rally to win bikes that would best suit someone with special needs. The contest offers several bikes to choose from, specific to each contestant's needs. The bikes can be expensive, and are not covered by insurance, Barclay said, making getting one a difficult endeavor. She's entered Dixie to win an adaptive tricycle, fit for her needs.

"What 3-year-old does not love riding a tricycle?" Barclay told Patch. "It brings them so much joy and excitement and freedom. ... In her case, it wouldn’t only bring her happiness … it’s also going to work hand-in-hand with her physical therapy goals, by building up her strength to hopefully one day be able to walk and stand."

Dixie has been through a lot in her three short years, Barclay said. Born with spina bifida— a congenital defect of the spine in which part of the spinal cord is exposed through a gap in the spine, often resulting in paralysis—Dixie also developed hydrocephalus, or an accumulation of fluid on the brain. She has undergone 12 surgeries, mostly to reduce the fluid and pressure in her brain to decrease the chance of brain damage, Barclay said. She has some movement in her legs, but is unable to stand or walk, and requires a wheelchair. She attends physical therapy several hours each week, to increase her overall strength. Barclay hopes someday she'll walk.

It was during a physical therapy session that Dixie first rode a bike, Barclay wrote in her entry, and her joy was clear.

"Her face just lit up with pride and happiness being able to ride a bike," she wrote. "We would love to give Dixie the chance to experience that feeling every day."

Contestants are vying for online votes, along with raising funds. People can vote for Dixie through her entry page. They've obtained the minimum 50 votes to be entered in to a raffle for the bike, and have raised half of their $3,400 goal so far. The contest began March 1 and ends March 29; Barclay is hoping by spreading word of the contest, they'll help bring home the win for their "firecracker.

"She's feisty, she lights up every room she goes into," Barclay said.

She's talkative and outgoing, Barclay said, and can strike up a conversation with anyone. And she loves to perform.

"She gets down to some Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, knows every word to 'Shallow' by Lady Gaga," Barclay said, laughing.

She hopes winning the bike would give Dixie a joy common to so many other kids her age. The contest is designed for just that, its website states.

"Bike riding offers a source of much-needed exercise and provides therapeutic value while contributing to an inclusive environment where a child with special needs can ride a bike like everyone else," according to the contest's website.

Barclay says Dixie deserves the win—and the bike.

"Dixie has overcome so many things in her short life," Barclay wrote in her entry, "and is truly an inspiration."

Vote for Dixie online through March 29.