Horsham community raises money for Ted Johnson’s hand cycle

Ted Johnson may have no legs after being born with a rare abnormality, but the active boy has never let that stop him. This is how the nine-year-old inspired his Horsham community to rally around him.

It took the Western District town of Horsham barely a week to raise the money needed to give one of their most inspiring residents the gift of fun and freedom.

Ted Johnson was born with the rare congenital abnormality tibial hemimelia, leaving him without shin bones, knees and ankles.

Doctors advised his parents that amputating both legs below the knee as a baby would be his best chance at an independent life.

LITTLE TED FINDS HIS FEET AT LAST

NEW LEGS HELP TED LEAD FROM FRONT

The new bike customised for Ted Johnson after both his legs were amputated soon after birth. Picture: Alex Coppel

Ted Johnson, 2, had both legs amputated below the knee because of a congenital disease.

And the nine-year-old student hasn’t let them down. Ted takes part in each school fun run and athletics carnival in his prosthetic legs, including the 100m and high jump.

The grade three student does swimming lessons, has a blue belt in Aikido martial arts, and even brings his wheelchair to school for the regular “Wheely Wednesday” events.

It was this schoolyard event, which inspired his school to buy him a special bike.

A teacher noticed that Ted struggled to fully take part in the event, where kids bring their bike, scooter — or in Ted’s case, his wheelchair — to fang around the Ss Michael and John’s Primary School quadrangle.

The school hatched a plan of getting 1000 people to chip in $10 to buy him a custom-built, hand cycle.

A young Ted Johnson trying out his new legs for the first time as a three-year-old.

In just a week, boosted by a heavy collection plate at church and pledges from local businesses, the Horsham school community raised $15,000.

“I was absolutely blown away, it would make your heart hurt. It was the nicest feeling,” mum Abbie Clark said.

Ted test rode the $11,000 beauty from Adaptive Concepts this week.

The rest of the money will go towards his next set of prosthetic legs, which will include knees.

“It makes me feel special, that lots of people have done this for me,” Ted said.

Ted gets his new legs at the Royal Children's Hospital. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Ted Johnson tests the low rider bike for the first time. Picture: Alex Coppel

Deputy principal Michael Rowe said Ted had earnt a reputation for his perseverance and can-do attitude.

“Ted’s often falling over, but he picks himself back right back up,” he said.

“He is very resistant to help. He never asks for it.

“He just wants to have a go at doing it for himself. His story has inspired people.”

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