Cody's best day ever

BROOMFIELD - In childhood, it may be one of the most memorable "rites of passage." It is liberating, and empowering too. When the training wheels come off, the trails and bumps beckon.

For most of his life Cody Mount has dreamed about riding his own bike, but it never seemed possible.

"When I was born, I didn't get enough air," he said.

At 9 months old, Cody was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy.

Many doctors told Cody and his mom he would never be able to walk, something they refused to accept.

By age 6, Cody walked.

"It was a real walk, not a running, falling, unbalanced walk," his mother Pam said.

Cody is now 9 years old.

She says Cody's determination along with physical therapy have allowed him to try everything from horseback riding to karate.

Physical therapist Kerry Mikolaj said, "He's motivated all the time. You tell him he can't do something and he'll tell you he can and he'll try it."

During their sessions they work in a gym, using the treadmill and obstacle courses. Not too long ago they actually got the chance to try out a bike, specially built for children like Cody.

"I can't ride regular bikes, so we got this cool adaptive bike. They only had it a few weeks, and I rode it. It was so much fun, the first time I ever rode a bike," he said.

The bike Cody rode that day is expensive, close to $1,000. Needless to say, Cody, his mom and his older sister Hailey realized long ago they would never be able to take a family bike ride.

Two strangers that know all about this type of the bike made it their mission to make Cody's dream come true.

Dawn and Roger Mohatt are the founders of the Two Angels Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to the memories of their daughters Allyson and Rachel. Both girls were diagnosed with Nemaline Myopathy, a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy. After long and brave battles, both girls died at the age of 5.

Knowing how much Allyson and Rachel loved to ride their bikes, their parents decided to honor their memory by giving that privilege to other children. Since adaptive equipment is extremely expensive and not covered by health insurance, the Mohatts asked their friends and family to help them form their foundation.

"As a parent you just want your kids to be happy, you want to give them the best life and being able to ride a bike or being able to go to the park and swing," Dawn Mohatt said.

So far, the Two Angels Foundation has been able to fund $75,000 worth of bikes and swings to children throughout the metro area.

Cody got his bike a couple of weeks ago. During one of his weekly therapy sessions, Dawn and Roger Mohatt stepped into the gym and surprised him with a new bike.

Cody was overwhelmed. He was nearly speechless. Within minutes he was riding his bike out of the gym, into the parking lot and down to the park where he could find the bumps.

The Mohatts stood outside with Cody's mom, his sister, and therapists and watched with tears streaming down their faces. They say their daughters will always be their inspiration.

"They were wonderful, they were incredible, they made our lives so special while they were here, we learned so much from them and their spirits and their attitudes," Roger Mohatt said.

Because of Allyson and Rachel they have heard thank you again and again.

And on this day they heard Cody say, "This is the best day of my life."

For more information on the foundation, go to http://www.twoangelsfoundation.org/.