Mother Mickey Sanderson races mountain bikes to raise awareness and money for her son's rare condition, SYNGAP1-related neurodevelopmental disorder. Because of the complications caused by this genetic mutation, Raylan is nonverbal and has developmental delays, decreased muscle tone and mobility issues, and intractable epilepsy, meaning his seizures can’t be completely controlled by medication.
“I’m not a doctor, I’m not a physical therapist. But I know how to ride a bike,” Sanderson said. “So, whatever your talents are, whatever God’s given you to use, that’s what you use. … It was an opportunity to teach my kids that there’s always something worth fighting for, no matter how big or how small.”
For this story I collaborated with former Wyoming Tribune Eagle reporter Hannah Black. For the full story visit Cheyenne mom mountain bikes to raise awareness of son’s genetic disorder
Mitchell Sanderson watches Trolls with his son, Raylan, 7, bottom right, while Wyatt, 5, colors at the table, the family dog Boyd makes his rounds, and Mickey bakes a cake in the kitchen for her son Jaydon’s 15th birthday in their home on F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne.
From left to right family members Krystina, 12, Jaydon, 14, Raylan, 7, mother Mickey, and Wyatt Sanderson, 5, enjoy a day at the lake on F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne. Raylan has a rare genetic condition called SYNGAP1 that causes hypotonia, decreased muscle tone that leads to low mobility, among other symptoms. However, Raylan finds particular joy in water. He loves to splash his feet in the pond near their home on base.
From left to right family members Jaydon, 14, Raylan, 7, mother Mickey, Krystina, 12, and on her back, Wyatt Sanderson, 5, enjoy a day at the lake on F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne. Raylan has a rare genetic condition called SYNGAP1 that causes hypotonia, decreased muscle tone that leads to low mobility, among other symptoms. Due to this, Raylan spends much of his time in the wheelchair seen in the background or carried by his parents or older brother, Jaydon.
From left to right siblings Wyatt, 5, Raylan, 7, Krystina 12, and Jaydon, 14, ride bikes near their home on F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. Raylan has a rare genetic condition called SYNGAP1 that causes hypotonia, decreased muscle tone that leads to low mobility, among other symptoms. Recently, Make a Wish Wyoming granted Raylan an adaptive tricycle so that he may bike ride with his family, an activity they often enjoy together.
Mickey Sanderson performs a trick on one of 15 bikes that she owns outside their home on F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. “This bike is for nostalgia,” said Mickey. “I raced BMX growing up and did freestyle BMX, but I could never afford a bike. So when I could finally afford one, I bought this one.”
Mickey Sanderson helps her son Raylan, 7, put his feet into the pedals of his tricycle for a bike ride with his siblings outside their home on F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. Raylan has a rare genetic condition called SYNGAP1 that causes hypotonia, decreased muscle tone that leads to low mobility, among other symptoms. Recently, Make a Wish Wyoming granted Raylan an adaptive tricycle so that he may bike ride with his family, an activity they often enjoy together.
Raylan Sanderson, 7, plays with a hose outside his home on F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. Although Raylan, who has a genetic mutation called SYNGAP1, has struggled to communicate, he has always expressed a love of water. His mother Mickey jokes, “we have the greenest lawn in the neighborhood.”
Racers and fans gather at 6:15 a.m. for the start of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race, otherwise known as “The Race Across the Sky,” in Leadville, CO. Mickey Sanderson won her spot in the race via a lottery for which she submitted her “Leadville story.” “Of course, I shared Raylan’s story. I said ‘my son has a rare genetic mutation. I race to raise money for him,’” recalls Mickey of her lottery submission.
Mickey Sanderson, center, carries her son, Raylan, 7, on her back as she cheers on other racers during the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race in Leadville, CO. Mickey did not make the 40 mile cut-off time to continue her race, so she rejoined her family. “Now that they’ve pulled my tag I just want to hold my kids and hug them,” says Mickey.
Jaydon Sanderson, 14, and his sister Krystina Sanderson, 12, eagerly await their mother’s arrival at the 40 mile cut-off marker during the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race in Leadville, CO. The siblings are wearing “Ride for Raylan” t-shirts that they tie-dyed themselves for the event. This race is the first of their mother’s mountain bike competitions they’ve attended, so they dressed as her support crew. The shirts are also in honor of their brother, Raylan, who has SYNGAP1 and for whose condition Mickey races to raise awareness and money.
Mickey competes during the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race in Leadville, CO. Mickey’s kit features the color purple for epilepsy, “Ride for Raylan” on the front, and “Together we climb syngap.fund/raylan” on the back to raise awareness and money for her son’s condition, SYNGAP1.
Raylan Sanderson, 7, rests his chin on his father Mitchell’s back beneath their family’s tent along the 40 mile marker during the Leadville Trail 100 MTB in Leadville, CO. The family eagerly awaits mother Mickey’s arrival to see if she has made the cut-off time or must surrender her tag and leave the course. Raylan has a rare genetic condition called SYNGAP1 that causes hypotonia, decreased muscle tone that leads to low mobility. Due to this, Raylan spends much of his time in a wheelchair, adaptive tricycle, or being carried by his parents or older brother.
Wyatt Sanderson, 5, left, photographs his mother Mickey, right after she missed the cut-off time at the 40 mile marker during the Leadville Trail 100 MTB in Leadville, CO. Krystina Sanderson, 12, center, and her uncle Andrew Pendl, top center, smile at the pose.
Photographs of Raylan taped to Mickey Sanderson’s competition bike to remind her of why she races at the Leadville Trail 100 MTB in Leadville, CO. Mickey Sanderson competes in mountain bike races to raise awareness and money for her son Raylan’s genetic mutation, SYNGAP1.