Marc’s Story – Microding is a Gift; Parents Give to Their Children!

One day as I entered the Burger King in Cortland NY I saw a boy in a wheelchair sitting at a table with his parent & siblings. I had been thinking of giving a child like this a chance to Race a Microd for a while, and now here was an opportunity right in front of me.  I went back out to my car and got some promotional materials, and turned to go back inside to talk to them. Just then I went towards them and met them at their car, and started talking to them about Microd racing. They looked a bit puzzled at first, but then the boy (Marc) became interested in the Idea of driving a real race car. At that moment I didn’t know how I was going to make (the Microd) so Marc could drive it, but I knew I wanted to try.  They said They would think about it & took my phone number. In the meantime I talked to several of my friends about Ideas to make the Microd drivable for Marc. One of my friends & club member Jeff Thew listened intently as I described what I wanted to do for this child. When I finished Jeff asked me if he could be a part of fixing the car for Marc, Jeff was a engineer by trade. I agreed and to be honest Jeff did most of the work and paid for the parts himself, with minor assistance from me. Well when the 1987 began Marc Newbury was our club’s first ever “Special Needs Driver” Jeff had found a source for a steering wheel with hand controls, with-in a few weeks Marc won a Race! When the club members realized what was happening the all stopped what they were doing a started to cheer! What a day that Was! Watching him carry around the checkered flag for a victory Lap, a tradition here at the Finger Lakes Microd Club. 

A few thoughts about why we Welcome Special Needs Children!

Marc was born with “Spina-Bifida” which is only one of the conditions that we work hard to help them with there disabilities so they can “feel normal” and have something to look forward to for at least a few hours each week during the summer. It helps their self-esteem and their family also gets the joy of seeing their child happy, and everyone needs a smile on their face once in a while. 

Childcare programs play a crucial role in supporting children with disabilities, offering them opportunities to engage in activities that boost their self-esteem and provide a sense of normalcy. These programs are designed to create enriching experiences, allowing children to explore their interests and build lasting memories. The positive impact extends beyond the children themselves, as families also benefit from witnessing their child’s joy and progress. It’s essential to provide environments where every child can thrive, smile, and look forward to something special each week.

To discover how such programs can make a difference, visit this site to explore options like those at The Learning Academy. There, they are dedicated to offering a research-based curriculum that fosters a love of learning, builds confidence, and nurtures creativity in every child. Their commitment ensures that each child receives the support and encouragement they need to flourish, making a meaningful difference in their lives and those of their families.

In Conclusion…

Since 1987 we have welcomed many children with many kinds of special challenges. We welcome all that would like to try driving a Microd. The club owns Microds with hand controls, to accommodate children with disabilities as part of inclusive curriculum development, and we are willing to adapt Microds for any kind of special need. The club owns Microds so you don’t have to buy one to race with us! Read more about our Club Goals and program for special needs kids on our web pages www.littlewheels.org . Racing is for both Boys & Girls ages 5-17. We also offer opportunities to try a Microd before deciding to join our club. To schedule a try-out call (A.J. Burgess) at 607-898-3313. Our Race schedule is at the top of our facebook page: “Finger Lakes Micro Club” Another unique thing about this club is “it not about winning” like so…many racing organizations are these days. The emphasis is on parents spending time with their children, interacting & helping other families, in a nice atmosphere doing an activity everyone enjoys! With a secondary emphasis on learning how to deal with breakdowns and disappointments, which is part of life let alone, Microd Racing!