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Team Guiliana, Wesley Gilbert (left), Andy Gretsinger, Beth Smith, Mary Ann Whitcher, Eric Pavlicko and Tom Hopkinson (right), were hard at work modifying Giuliana’s “Frozen” car to fit her perfectly at the Go Baby Go build at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center on Jan. 21.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Members of Team Matthew helped him drive over an obstacle in the obstacle course set up for Go Baby Go at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center on Jan. 21.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.London Macklin, daughter of Donnell Macklin, got comfortable in her new “Frozen” Jeep, which was modified for her by Team London at the Go Baby Go build at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center on Jan. 21.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Team Matthew proudly showed off the “Minion” car, which they modified for Matthew (center) during the Go Baby Go build at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center on Jan. 21.
By ABBY SLANKER
The second annual Go Baby Go build took place at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, with six teams of students and professionals modifying ride-on cars for six children on Jan. 21.
Go Baby Go is a program which provides modified ride-on cars for young children with disabilities. Dr. Cole Gallaway PT, PhD, an associate professor at the University of Delaware, founded this program. As there are only a few commercially available devices to promote mobility in young children, modified ride-on cars can facilitate a child’s independence at a much younger age, and at a relatively low cost.
This nationally-known program is specifically for young children, 0-5 years of age, with mobility impairments. Children who have difficulty moving on their own may have an underlying medical diagnosis including cerebral palsy, down syndrome or spina bifida. Every car is tailored to each child’s specific needs to improve and enhance a child’s independence and provide a way for that child to explore and play.
Volunteers from Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and Youngstown State University PT Program, as well as local electricians and teachers, worked in conjunction with Oh Wow Children’s Center and Mahoning County ESC to modify a small “fleet of cars” so Valley children could benefit. Past research has shown this kind of opportunity for independent mobility is linked to cognitive, social, motor and language development.
Workshop leaders included Natalie Wardega of RePlay for Kids, electrician Mark Guerino, Walter Baber of MCCTC engineering, engineer Angelo LeMarca and Bev Lankitus of Mahoning County ESC. Therapists included, Carolyn Wyand, OT, Kathy O’Shaughnessy, PT, Patty Chongolola, OT, Gina D’Apolito, PT, Brenda Devenport, PT, Christine Sandor, PTA and Diane Kluchar, OT.
The workshop leaders and therapists were assigned to the children’s teams, including Team Lily, Team Bella, Team Matthew, Team Paxton, Team London and Team Guiliana. The girls received “Frozen” themed cars, while the boys received “Minion” themed cars.
Matthew’s mother, Patty, was grateful to be included in the program.
“Bev Lankitus is Matthew’s therapist, and she told us about Go Baby Go. He was supposed to be involved last year, but got sick, so I am so happy to be here this year. We waited a year and weren’t going to miss it this time. It’s a wonderful thing,” Patty said.
Beth Smith and Mary Ann Whitcher, interns at the Oh Wow Children’s Center and students at Brown Mackie Akron, were excited to be part of the program.
“It is a very cool program. The mobility of the modified car provides the children the opportunity to explore their environment and improve their social interaction,” Smith said.
“This type of non-traditional program gives the community a chance to volunteer and give back and help the children. It’s a unique aspect that you really don’t hear about too often,” Whitcher said.
An “obstacle course” was set up for the children to drive through once their cars were competed and each child was gifted the car to take home.