Cleveland senior donates little person bike to Special Ed class
December 20, 2023

Students, Tena, Chris, and teacher Katie LeVert. Katie is sitting closest to the bike next to Vice Principal Jessica Bigham on the bench.; image submitted

CLEVELAND, TN - 88-year-old Ms. Tena Bahm may be small in size, but her heart is bigger than many. Her selflessness and giving nature goes a long way as she has just donated her small-person trike, valued at $3,500 and made by Utahtrikes.com, to a special ed class at Mayfield Elementary School in Cleveland, TN.

Although the donation occurred recently on December 12, this giving event truly began five years ago. At the time, Tena lived at a senior living community where Christopher Beckstrand was Executive Director. (Now he is Executive Director and Owner/Operator of Avail Senior Living in Cleveland).

Tena and Chris got along very well and became good friends. In fact, after some time, Tena wanted Kylee Beckstrand, Chris’ daughter, who was six-years-old at the time, to have her small-person trike.

When the trike was given to Kylee, a heartfelt promise was made. After Kylee grew out of the trike, she told Tena that she’d find another child who could be blessed by the trike.

Fast forward to 2023, and Kylee kept her promise. On December 12, Tena and her good friends, Chris and Kylee, donated Tena’s trike to the special education class at Mayfield Elementary School.

“Mayfield Elementary extends heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Tena and to Mr. Chris Beckstrand, Owner and Executive Director of Avail Senior Living, for their generous donation of a unique, custom-made recumbent bike, which will benefit several students,” shares Assistant Principal, Jessica Bigham. “Their commitment to supporting education and seeing the potential in every student will have a lasting impact, enabling us to enhance learning experiences and create a brighter future for any student, no matter the need. We sincerely appreciate them for being valuable community partners who believe in giving forward and celebrating the work of schools.”

“Five years ago, when Tena Bahm decided it was time to share her trike bike, we had no idea it would find a new home with not just one child but an entire classroom,” shares Chris Beckstrand. “It was heartwarming to see their eyes light up when they saw their new trike bike!”

More information about Avail Senior Living can be found by visiting their website.