8 minute read
PRODUCTS AND FEATURES: AUGMENTED POWER MOBILITY
LET’S GO BABY GO!
Written by: ANDRINA SABET, PT, ATP
Go Baby Go (GBG) is an international grassroots movement focused on real-time, real-world solutions for mobility and play. The movement began with Cole Galloway, a professor at the University of Delaware, to “help empower individuals with the ability to co-create their world through mobility.” Go Baby Go utilizes a combination of disruptive innovation, formal academic research and community outreach focused on low tech/high impact solutions for children to experience social mobility that creates opportunities for independence and self-expression.
GBG is best known for modifying power ride-on cars from local toy stores. This open-source movement has expanded around the world and, without any formal organization, has led to over 150 chapters that have modified over 10,000 cars. These chapters can be found almost anywhere: at therapy and engineering university level programs; high school, middle school, and elementary school classrooms through STEM/STEAM programming; and as after school organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. GBG has even created impact in the adult world where corporations and volunteer groups participate in workshops and mobility related projects.
Toy cars are typically modified in two ways: electrically and structurally. Electrical changes include modifications to the wiring, which can range from simple (changing the activation method to a switch which can be mounted anywhere in or on the car) to complex (adding a joystick, motors to reduce turning radius or speed controllers). On the other hand, structural changes involve modifications to the body of the car such as adding a variety of postural supports to improve child stability, steering wheel adaptations or accommodations for medical technology such as ventilators or oxygen tanks/ concentrators. In contrast to demands placed on durable medical equipment, these toys can be designed for short duration play and allow for unique configurations such as cars that activate by standing rather than sitting.
Fisher Price employees modify Power Wheels for local families
“Sophia certainly enjoys her time in her adapted car (sometimes a little too much, as she is a bit of a daredevil) and has much more independence during play with other children. It is easy to get her outside and just let her explore and play in a very similar way with the other kids in the neighborhood. As a parent of a child with special needs, there is nothing more rewarding than watching them being engaged with their peers, seeing smiles, and hearing nothing but nonstop laughter throughout play. The other thing I love about the adapted cars is it’s an easy way to work on goals, whether it be vision, head control, coordination, motor planning, or even just following directions because the kids are highly motivated by the fun and novelty of the car and being with friends. I have taken Sophia’s car with us to the park to “race” other kiddos, baseball games to keep her busy, and even to people’s homes to have play dates. It’s been wonderful!” - Charlene (mother of Sophia)
But in reality, GBG is not about the car, it is about the kid. Mobility is a human right as determined by the United Nations, yet there is a substantial gap in mobility equity between children with mobility disabilities and those without. This gap has been sustained by practices in the medical model and medical research often prioritizes walking over alternative mobility strategies. Inequity is further substantiated by the Durable Medical Equipment industry and funding policies too often centered on adults rather than the unique needs of the birth to age 3 population. GBG has evolved in an effort to reduce this gap and improve mobility equity. Our principles provide a peek “underneath the hood” at the engine that powers our collective.
THE SCIENCE OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY:
GBG recognizes mobility is a major causal factor in a child’s general development, daily learning and joy, and a family’s structure and quality of life as supported by research within the theory of “embodied development.”
THE FINANCING OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
GBG is committed to providing free mobility solutions for children. This requires a deep and meaningful collaboration with local community resources including funding, volunteers and fun spaces for workshops.
OUR ROLE AS COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS:
GBG recognizes being effective is not leading community efforts in the traditional sense but rather working in service to the actual leaders: kids and families. We strive to be designated as advocates by those with lived experience in the disability community.
Just try to catch me!
Lovin’ my new ride!
Trouble to go!
JOIN THE MOVEMENT FOR MOBILITY!
There are multiple ways to participate in GBG. The most common way is by teaming up with families and kids to modify ride-on cars in your local community. Anyone can join the do-it-yourself movement at www.gbgconnect.com, an online forum where groups and individuals post instructions, solve problems and share resources. This is a great way to locate and connect with a chapter in your area. There are three important considerations when getting started. First, safety is a critical element with any GBG project. An engineer must be involved to maintain safety standards with any wiring modifications. Second, GBG is a partnership where cars are modified with kids and families rather than for kids and families. This is a critical distinction, because design can be unsuccessful when users are not part of the process. Finally, keep it simple. Any modifications should be necessary and low profile to keep the focus on fun.
Other individuals or organizations are not looking to build cars but would like to increase the availability of cars to share with specific families or for general use in community spaces. Community partnerships are an effective strategy to connect donors, families and builders. For example, STEM classrooms from elementary school through high school are frequently looking for projects that involve skill building and community outreach and, simultaneously, local businesses such as car dealerships are ready to fund a community project. A local therapy clinic can complete the partnership by introducing these collaborators to a driver who is ready to roll. Once established, these partnerships can be a sustainable source of cars for the community.
Finally, GBG participation includes partnering with the disability community to prioritize mobility experiences and opportunities for young children. For instance, the availability of modified cars in public spaces such as children’s museums, parks and libraries, provides kids of all abilities the opportunity to be part of the action as well as providing inclusive programing for young children that encourages a variety of mobility strategies. Let’s reframe mobility conversations toward an evolving collaboration with families that embraces and celebrates the dynamic nature of early childhood.
Siblings building for siblings, World DS Conference
Smiles for miles!
"As a parent with a child who has limited mobility due to significant developmental delays, it makes access to typical play and normal socialization activities really challenging. The cars allowed my son to explore and see whatever environment he was in. He explored our yard, our neighborhood, he went to some community events and explored parts of the zoo, botanical gardens, and children’s museum in the car. Most kids walk and run around these places. My son cannot. Oftentimes the car allows him to make some choices as to what to explore." - Sarah (mother of Max)
Collectively, we have a responsibility to not only raise awareness but, most importantly, to also be active in reducing the mobility inequity gap.
Now let’s Go Baby Go! To get involved now, email gobabygomobile@ gmail.com or Google “Go Baby Go” in your city or state.
Scan the QR codes to watch videos about GoBabyGo
Video 1: GoBabyGo Goes to Cleveland and teams up with UCP and National Interstate Insurance for an amazing day.
Video 2: Team 1939 and GoBabyGo 2018
CONTACT THE AUTHOR Andrina may be reached at ANDRINASABET@GMAIL.COM
Andrina Sabet, PT, ATP, is a physical therapist at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation and owner of Mobility Matters, LLC. Her clinical practice includes infants and toddlers through young adults in the Mobility and Seating Clinic, where independent mobility options are a focus for every client. She is the national projects coordinator with Go Baby Go, a grassroots, open-source movement centered on social mobility opportunities, clinical research and technological innovation. Sabet has presented locally and internationally on mobility and positioning and frequently collaborates with manufacturers regarding product development.
