Merging creativity and innovation to build a meaningful future in occupational therapy

Go Baby Go is a powered mobility program that allows infants, toddlers, and young children with mobility impairments to explore and interact with their environment independently using adaptive equipment. The college began working with Go Baby Go in 2012 to provide these adaptive vehicles. Go Baby Go power mobility vehicles help children build self-confidence, move through spaces independently, learn motor development, and provides them an opportunity for play or social interactions with family and friends. 

 

I volunteered to participate in the Go Baby Go build so I could learn how to build a car from start to finish for a child in need. My group made an adaptive car for a four-year-old with right-sided hemiparesis, which is partial weakness on one side of the body. We started the build by removing the foot pedal from the bottom of the car and installing a front button so the child can use their hand to accelerate by pushing it down. Next, we fitted him to the chair and placed his front button on his right side to promote using his weaker side for reaching. His family was eager and excited to come and see him move around on his own!

The children we were building the mobility vehicles for actually came to test out the cars and were able to take them home. It was incredible to see that firsthand. The experience was even more rewarding than I expected! And I’m not the only one that felt that way. My OTD classmate, Beth Chard said, “I cannot wait for the next Go Baby Go build! It was really hands-on and allowed me to use my creative side to modify a typical ride-on car into an awesome assistive device. The most rewarding part was definitely seeing the child we fit the car for, zoom around with a smile on their face!”

 

Participating in activities like this enhances my preparation as a future Occupational Therapist because it promotes creativity and innovation - which is what OT is all about! We support using the patients’ meaningful activities to guide our treatment sessions. I plan to pursue pediatric occupational therapy once I graduate from MUSC. Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to create a Go Baby Go build site where I can build other adaptive equipment for my future kiddos!

You can find more information about Go Baby Go on their website. For information on how to participate with MUSC, contact Patty Coker Bolt, Ph.D., OTR/L, FNAP, FAOTA or Cindy Dodds PT, Ph.D., PCS.

 

Alexis M. Brown, OTS
DPT Class of 2025