GoBabyGo, an organization enabling children’s therapy through modified, ride-on cars, is making its Flagstaff debut Nov. 12 and 13 in the new Science and Health building on Northern Arizona University’s campus.
The event is intended to kick off a long-term project at NAU that will assist local families who have children with movement restrictions. GoBabyGo will provide 10 toy cars that will help children develop the skills they need to move around independently.
“By outfitting these kids with enabling technologies, we will be able to foster their physical and cognitive development,” said Kyle Winfree, assistant professor in NAU’s informatics and computing program and leader of the GoBabyGo initiative in northern Arizona.
Winfree hopes the event will attract donors and provide an opportunity to recruit 30-50 NAU student volunteers to assist with putting together the GoBabyGo cars. “In the long term, I would like to see a group of students continue this project with smaller scale monthly builds. These students will actually be making the cars and then will have an opportunity to meet the kids and the families who their work will directly benefit.”
The cars have been modified for children with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and complex medical needs, such as trachea tubes. While most of the cars are operated using hand movements, they can be catered for individual’s needs.
Because the non-profit organization is funded solely by donations, cars built for this purpose will go home to families at little to no cost.
To volunteer, donate or find out information on the event, contact Kyle Winfree.