Visually-impaired Elm Park School pupil Kaea Smith says riding a bike makes him feel "fantabulous".

With the help of Counties Manukau Sport and his teacher aid John Owens, the bright 10-year-old learnt how to ride a bicyle in March, and later received a bike for free from the community recreation organisation's Re-Cycle bike project.

He takes his flash bike for rides around his home, at school and in parks, and enjoys the sense of happiness and freedom brought by moving at "super fast" speed.

"I love it. I want to say thank you. I'm so grateful," Kaea says, to Counties Manukau Sport about his present.

Born with septo-optic dysplasia, which is underdevelopment of the optic nerve, Kaea has more blurry sight than others.

However, he managed to ride on his own without support after only one learning session.

"When your eyes are closed, it affects your balance. I can't see very well and that affects my balance too," Kaea says.

"I'm scared of falling on the road. I just gave myself courage to balance when I was turning without my eyes."

Community sport advisor for biking at Counties Manukau Sport, Brendan Boreham​, who helped teach Kaea how to ride, says the boy is "an absolute inspiration".

"What's very clear, the day we taught him is that he was going to learn to ride no matter what it took. It was that courage and perseverance that really stood out for me," Boreham says.

"I would expect him to be really shy and nervous about doing it, but he just wanted to keep going and eventually when the lesson ended, he was disappointed because he wanted to keep riding."

Kaea says his "happy, friend-making, brave and positive personality" helps him overcome lots of barriers in life, and he encourages other children with visual impairments to try riding.

"Take it slow, listen to the instructions, focus and also have fun. The only thing worth failing is not even trying."

* Counties Manukau Sport asks the public to help it deliver more bicycles to those in need. People who have an unused bike to donate can email GeorginaM@cmsport.co.nz .

LIU CHEN
Last updated 11:54, June 29 2017

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