WVU Division of Occupational Therapy graduates (from left) Lexi Bailey, Emily Hvizdak and Ashlyn Richardson work with Noah Woods (at center) as part of the Go Baby Go project. (WVU Photo)
A crowdfunding effort launched by the West Virginia University School of Medicine in partnership with the WVU Foundation aims to boost funding for Go Baby Go, a student-led service project that provides modified battery-powered ride-on cars for children with limited mobility.
The goal is to raise $1,000 to purchase ride-on cars for children in West Virginia and surrounding areas. Students in the Division of Occupational Therapy and Division of Physical Therapy will work with families to customize the cars to meet each child’s needs.
Go Baby Go is a nationwide education and outreach project that began at the University of Delaware. The cars help children with disabilities increase their independence by allowing them to move around and explore their environment.
“Being a part of the Go Baby Go program has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Taylor Grout, an occupational therapy student involved with Go Baby Go, said. “I am excited to keep working on these cars and continue helping more children participate in the meaningful occupation of play.”
Cars are provided to participating families at no cost, so Go Baby Go relies on donations. One car costs $113, and a fully modified car costs about $250. Possible modifications include seating support, steering modifications and changing activation control from a foot to hand switch.
Carrie Smith-Bell and Diana Davis, faculty members in the Division of Occupational Therapy, and MaryBeth Mandich, professor for the Division of Physical Therapy, supervise students involved with the Go Baby Go program.
“Go Baby Go is such an important program for young children with mobility limitations,” Smith-Bell said. “Moving around in the world is the catalyst for the development of so many skills and as children in Go Baby Go cars move around, they are introduced to new friends, new games and new toys.”
Gifts to support the crowdfunding effort can be made securely online at give.wvu.edu/gobabygo. All donations are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University, and go toward the WVU Go Baby Go project.