[brid video=”275743″ player=”13623″ title=”GO BABY GO in Owensboro Kentucky”]
UPDATED on Feb. 15: Wendell Foster is currently accepting applications for its Go Baby Go! program, which provides adapted ride-on cars to infants and toddlers with limited mobility. The child must be between 6 months and 5 years old, can sit supported for 10-15 minutes, can see and hold his/her head up. The parent or guardian must be able to attend the Go Baby Go! build on Saturday, May 4, from 10:00 a.m. to noon and be able to transport the car home following the event.
If you are unable to attend on this date, the applicant will be considered for the next build. The application can be found at www.wendellfoster.org and must be completed by a parent or guardian and the child’s physical or occupational therapist.
For additional information, or if you are interested in sponsoring a build, please contact Cindy Huston at (270) 683-4517 or [email protected].
On Saturday, July 28, five children with disabilities received battery-operated, ride-on cars modified so each driver could make it go forward or backward by pushing a large button on the steering wheel. The program was hosted by Wendell Foster’s assistive technology and resource center and is part of GoBabyGo!, an initiative that began at the University of Delaware.
John Koshy, one of the engineers from GoBabyGo! who came to help volunteers build the modified cars for this event, stated, “Anyone can build the cars — even a 5-year-old and a 3-year old can learn to drive one in a matter of minutes.”
Koshy also said this is only the second clinical build of this year, though they have over 200 requests. Most of the events are corporate builds, where engineers help large organizations build modified ride-on cars to give within communities. The Philadelphia Eagles have participated in this program, and Koshy said the kids had the experience of driving down the game tunnel after the cars were built. Other events have been held with the Daimler Corporation making replica Mercedes cars and also at the Daytona 500, where cars were made in a 90-minute window and then driven down a red carpet.
A remote control that can override the vehicle gives parents a feeling of safety for the child operating the vehicle. However, these kids learn very quickly how to drive these cars, giving them an opportunity to be independent.
The GoBabyGo! website provides manuals on how to make battery-operated cars with modifications and also how to create a chapter and get funding for the cars.
(VIDEO BY DANIEL BENEDICT)
