TheraTree Pediatric Therapy Services received two ride-on two vehicles Tuesday through the GoBabyGo organization, providing patients with a new way to move, learn and play. The donation was made by Georgetown’s Toyota facility, which had technicians create and modify the vehicles specifically for the children at TheraTree.
TheraTree’s pediatric patients rushed to the toy trucks as soon as they were brought inside. They took turns getting used to the new toys — opening the doors and honking the horns before climbing eagerly into the driver’s seat.
The vehicles created an exciting atmosphere as patients began zooming around TheraTree’s sensory gymnasium in combined states of excitement and awe.
“We had the chance to participate in the GoBabyGo program, and it was right up our alley,” said Toyota’s Tom Tapp. “Toyota considers itself more than just a manufacturing company. We’re a mobility company.”
According to Occupational Therapist and TheraTree Owner Jessica Hatfield, the toy vehicles are a perfect fit for children aged 0-5 because so much physical, social and mental development takes place during that stage of life.
“Because of that, children with mobility issues need things like wheelchairs and other kinds of mobile devices — it’s actually really hard to get those things through insurance,” Hatfield said. “Insurance kind of has the mindset that they’re going to grow out of it, or they’re still developing. It prevents those kids from having movement and mobility opportunities.”
Beyond the mobility factor, the GoBabyGo vehicles provide children at those young ages with the chance to explore their environment more, Hatfield said.
“They might be afraid to explore because they know they might fall,” she said. “And it’s really social too. They have so many opportunities to play with their peers who are more mobile, or their siblings.”
Assistant Community Manager Nick Grant described the toy vehicles as “awesome,” saying they would be hugely beneficial in getting the kids mobile on a daily basis.
“To see these kids interact today is awesome,” he said. “All these kids love it, and they’re engaged. This is a really good thing for them to have.”
