David Wickward was born with no arms, deformed legs and little chance to walk. Five years later, two Duke students are giving David a chance to ride a tricycle.
As part of a bio-medical engineering class, Derek Juang and Irene Tseng designed a new ride. And Friday, David got his new trike.
It proved an emotional day for all involved.
"A lot of times in school, we just do a lot of work, and we don't see the results of it," Irene said. "This time, we can actually see, like, and end product. We're actually really helping someone immediately.
"Seeing David ride was an emotional experience.
"RIGHT ON! YEA! GO, DAVID, GO, GO! PUSH! PUSH!""
""DAVID'S FANTASTIC. HA, HA, HA.""
""JUST RUN'EM OVER. NICE! GOOD JOB.""
""I THINK IT WAS A BIG DAY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, I REALLY DO.""
""COME ON, BUSTER. WHOA! HEY, THERE'S A SPEED LIMIT ON THIS STREET!""
""TO SEE MY SON...GET ON THAT BIKE AND BE ABLE TO GO DOWN THE ROAD WAS JUST...I CAN'T EVEN PUT IT INTO WORDS.""
""YEAH, BUDDY! GOOD JOB, BIG GUY.""
""ALRIGHT. (APPLAUSE) HOW ""WOO-HOO! HA, HA, HA! IS THAT A REAL WORD? HA, HA, HA!""
'BOUT SOME HIGH FIVES FOR THOSE GUYS? GOOD JOB, HUH? WAY TO GO, BIG GUY. WAY TO GO. GOOD JOB. (SLAPS HAND) YEAH!""
David's new tricycle was a collaborative effort of Duke, his physical therapist and the Arc of Durham.
David's mother told WRAL about it through WRAListens.
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