UNCW student hopes to create bike shop for adults with disabilities

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) —  One UNCW student is hoping to make a big difference in the world and it starts with a bike shop.

UNCW Senior Leah Sherrill said, “I remember I asked one of my professors, ‘Why is it okay for them to not get paid minimum wage? Why is it okay for them to work these jobs?’ And she didn’t really have an answer.”

After that moment, Sherrill became curious about how she can improve employment for adults with disabilities.

“We learned about shelter workshops and how adults with disabilities don’t get paid minimum wage,” said Sherrill.

Sherill learned more about how difficult  it really was from her friend Stephanie Glatt.

She said, “Firsthand we experienced what is was like to try to find a job for someone with a disability.”

Sherrill helped Glatt apply to many local employers, but Glatt said she didn’t hear back from any of them.”

“Nope, nothing,” said Glatt.

Sherrill said she knew it was time to take action.

“We decided that it was time to stop talking about it and make a move that was when I promised Stephanie I would build her a job.”

A job she says would be equal pay, hours, and quality of life, no matter if the person had a disability or not.

“They will be able to repairs bikes, reach out to students, have relationships, you know with people just like them and the students around them on campus,” said Sherrill.

Glatt says her job now doesn’t give her enough hours, but interacting with others is her favorite part.

“They hug me. It makes me feel good and makes me feel special,” said Glatt.

Sherrill says UNCW has more bikes on campus than any other college in North Carolina.

She learned her biggest challenge would not be figuring out what to do, but more so how to do it.

That’s where graduate student David Morrison comes in.  Sherrill says he is her backbone especially when it comes to advice.

Morrison says, “Just keep your energy up. Don’t let people who might want to discourage to get in the way from your idea.”

An idea called Special Pedals that Sherrill hopes to become a reality here. She hopes it starts a trend across the world.

“We have pride being independent and being successful,” said Sherrill. “They have pride just like we do and I just want them to be proud of their job and to be proud of their independence and have the financial stability to do that.”

Sherrill says the location of the bike shop is still unknown at this time but she’s hope it will be as close as possible to the UNCW campus.

She says UNCW has already said they would donate bikes to them so they can be rented out.