Waunakee: Learning how to ride a bike is an important stage in every child's life, but for a child with a disability learning how to ride a two-wheeler is about much more than riding a bike.

PJ. is 11 years old and this is his first time riding a bike by himself. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. MaryBeth Kent is PJ's mom, and this day is a long time coming. "We've tried for years to get him to ride a two-wheeler, but the whole balance thing was hard for him."

That's why MaryBeth brought PJ to Lose the Training Wheels, a one week camp where kids with down syndrome and other disabilities learn how to ride a bike. "He's so excited," says MaryBeth. "You ask him where you going today and he'll say, 'Bike camp.' He's very excited. He's got a smile on his face."

Sharon Colantonio is traveling the country working these camps. She says the biggest hurdle is just getting the kids on the bikes. "A lot of them are coming in with fears from having crashed on their own bike with parents. They don't quite know what to expect."

The camp was sponsored by the Madsion Area Down Syndrome Society. Jennifer Rindfleish works for the group. "From Monday to today is a complete change. We had some kids that were completely terrified to get on the bikes and now they're outside riding on two wheels."

The skills learned go beyond bike riding. "They have more confidence around their peers because they can then participate with peers and go out for a bike ride," says Sharon.

"So it's just one more thing to make them feel part of a group and not so different," says Jennifer.

"It gives him some independence," says MaryBeth, who gets emotional when thinking about what this will mean for PJ's life. "Words can't even describe it. It's just phenomenal."

It's reactions like these that make it all worthwhile for Sharon. "I get to see overnight change. I have an incredible opportunity to watch miracles happen."

Twenty-six kids signed up and by the end of the week 23 of the kids were riding a two wheel bike by themselves.