Posted: 2 September, 2025
When Ruby first joined the Wheels for All Colchester Hub in 2022, she was looking for a way to build strength in her legs and manage a serious health condition affecting her knees.
Despite experiencing frequent kneecap dislocations, Ruby was determined to stay active and improve her mobility. Her determination was clear from the very beginning, even though at first she struggled to complete a single pedal rotation on a cycle.
Following a fall, scans and X-rays revealed extensive damage to Ruby’s knees. She was diagnosed with low muscle tone, and doctors discovered that her knee ligaments were so stretched they could no longer keep her kneecaps in place.
Specialist surgery was recommended, involving breaking her legs, lengthening the ligaments, and reattaching everything. Even with such a major operation, there was no guarantee of success.
But Ruby kept cycling.
Through regular sessions at Wheels for All Colchester, Ruby continued building strength in her muscles and ligaments. Months later, during her pre-operation assessments, doctors were amazed by the results. New scans and X-rays showed significant improvement, with her kneecaps now sitting correctly in place thanks to the strengthening impact of cycling exercise.
As a result, the planned surgery was cancelled - and instead, Ruby was prescribed more cycling.
Karen, Ruby’s mum told us “It really is amazing. We couldn’t believe the doctor said he wouldn’t be doing the operation, and that is all credit to Wheels for All and the school for taking her.”
Ruby’s journey has become an inspiration to everyone at the Colchester Hub, demonstrating the incredible difference inclusive cycling can make to physical health, confidence, and independence.
“Ruby is such an inspiration to everyone who attends our Colchester Hub. From the get-go she’s had so much courage and determination. It’s been amazing to see how inclusive cycling has helped her to get to where she is today.” Jo Smith, Inclusive Cycling Coordinator at Wheels for All Colchester said.
Ruby’s story is a fantastic reminder that inclusive cycling can be life-changing, helping disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to build strength, confidence, and freedom through activity.
