Go Baby Go

There has been a lot of research showing the link between mobility and a child's development in other areas.  Young children who have mobility impairments are at risk for developmental delays in other areas, like language, social, cognitive and fine motor skills.  This is why it is very important for kids who have motor limitations to find ways to become mobile.  If you've ever watched toddlers, you see that they move constantly... everything is something new to explore... and all that exploration is how young kids learn.  Given Leah's  physical limitations, we have always tried to help her be mobile in her own way.  All of her wheels have given her this mobility.  However, there is one place she has a hard time... outside.

Earlier this summer our neighbor brought us a magazine from the University of Delaware, her alma mater.  In it featured a story of how the U of D is collaborating with engineers to provide mobility for kids with physical disabilities.  The story was about a little boy who had cables and wires all over his house so he could move freely throughout.  There were hanging cables from the ceiling going into every room and he swung from room to room.  Awesome!  We started looking more into this, and found out that it was the work of U of D's Go Baby Go department.

In 2006 a pediatric researcher launched the Go Baby Go program, and they are helping to give the gift of mobility to kids by modifying off-the-shelf power cars.  On a whim, I posted to their site that we are based in Minneapolis and would love to get in touch with someone to help modify a car for Leah.  As fate would have it, there was someone here in Minneapolis checking the Go Baby Go site at the same time and contacted us to help make this car.

Bridget works for an organization here called PACER.  PACER is a non-profit whose mission is to help parents of children with special needs to be an advocate for them.  Bridget had just recently attended a conference at U of D and was interested and excited to make a Go Baby Go car for a child... she just needed to fine one!  

Over the past several months we have met with PACER, picked out a car, and had several fittings in the car.  We chose a John Deere tractor, which she will be able to grow into for several years, and an engineer donated his time to rewire the pedal from the foot up to the steering wheel.  They also added a seat belt and straps to keep her feet secure.  Finally the other day it was ready for us to pick it up.  She did awesome!  And loves it so, so much.  It has been great for her to be outside in the yard and driving up and down the street. 
 None of it would be possible without the kindness and generosity of PACER, and we are so grateful that they chose to work with us.  Here are some pictures of her enjoying her new Go Baby Go.