GABR stars

With his all-time favorite activities being fishing and hunting, Cole Fleck is a North Dakota boy through and through. At age 13, he has already shot a buck and won money in a fishing tournament.

Cole’s family has benefited from the Sanford Health Great American Bike Race (GABR) by receiving orthotics, a wheelchair, a hydrotherapy pool, physical therapy services and a bike. Cole has collagen VI gene deficit, a rare muscle disorder that restricts the proper function of his muscles. He is one of only two people in the world to be diagnosed with this.

Cole’s family has participated in GABR for more than 10 years. They have had a team since last year. The A Team includes Cole’s family and friends along with his classmates from Shiloh Christian School. Cole’s favorite thing about GABR is “how it helps people.”

Kenley Schneider loves reading, listening to music, especially anything by Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift, and dancing behind her closed bedroom door. Her favorite books are the Laura Ingalls Wilder series.

The Sanford Health Great American Bike Race (GABR) has assisted Kenley’s family with medical bills and travel expenses from the numerous orthopedic surgeries she has had because of her cerebral palsy. GABR funds have also helped with the cost of her weekly physical therapy sessions. Most recently, GABR helped purchase an adaptive bike so Kenley can cruise around her neighborhood.

Kenley’s Krew is the Schneider family team. They have been pedaling at GABR for five years. Kenley’s favorite part of GABR is seeing so many of her family and friends come from all over North Dakota and Minnesota to participate and cheer on the team.