The GoBabyGo! project just keeps on going.
On the last weekend in March, events were held at UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and a total of 15 ride-on electric toy cars — 10 at UNMC and four at UNK — were modified to allow them to be used by young children with mobility issues.
This was eighth overall event at UNMC, while the University of Nebraska at Kearney has held two. Since the Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) first teamed with the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and other partners in 2016, more than 70 modified cars have been given away.
“It’s a super-popular program,” said Sandy Willett, director of the MMI Department of Physical Therapy. She noted that building 10 cars was a record for a single event — the most that had ever been attempted at one event before was nine.
The modified toy cars were provided at no cost to families to promote early independent mobility. They are designed for children ages 7 months to 6 years old.
Willett credited “an amazing team of volunteers who built tool kits, set-up tables, and spent the morning problem-solving and modifying cars.”
There were more than 60 volunteers in all on Saturday: students from UNMC’s Students of the University of Nebraska American Physical Therapy Association, UNO and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering programs, Nebraska Methodist College occupational therapists, OPPD engineers, Meghan Walls from Assistology, therapists from Children’s Hospital and Medical Center and MMI, as well as a host of therapists from across the region who accompanied the children and families.
Willett credited the Munroe-Meyer Guild for getting the program off the ground in 2016 and supporting the Big! Program for larger, center-based cars. A new, anonymous donor has ensured the continuation of the program for at least the next five years, she said.
“They have funded us for the next five years at a level that we never anticipated, so we were able to build even greater capacity,” she said. “Now rather than sharing tools, we have a kit for every volunteer team. Our efficiency has skyrocketed!”
“Feedback from our student volunteers was overwhelmingly positive, as was feedback from area therapists who brought families to the event,” Willett said. “This initiative gives a whole new meaning to teamwork. Sharing a common vision through interdisciplinary partnerships is truly transforming early mobility for kids in Nebraska.”
GoBabyGo! is a national program that provides modified ride-on cars for kids with developmental disabilities. Donations can be made at the University of Nebraska Foundation’s website. Search “GoBabyGo!” or send a check to the University of Nebraska Foundation, “GoBabyGo!” 2285 S. 67th St., Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68106 or call 402-502-4113.