When a new extracurricular program is introduced,\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0no telling how long it may take to build name recognition and widespread participation.<\/p>\n
The University of Scranton\u2019s chapter of Go Baby Go, however, proved to be an instant success that continues growing as its third annual event approaches on Sunday, May 3.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody gets paid for this, it\u2019s\u00a0not a requirement for any classes,\u201d said\u00a0Kaitlyn Gelman,\u00a0an occupational therapy graduate student from Hackensack, New Jersey. \u201cEveryone just does it because they love it. They love what they do.\u201d<\/p>\n
And what they do is take miniature toy cars and implement modifications \u2014 such as replacing the foot pedal with a push button or switch,\u00a0relocating\u00a0the steering\u00a0wheel\u00a0or adding padded crossbars, among other measures\u00a0\u2014 and then donating those cars to local children with disabilities. The process began months ago, when the University\u2019s Go Baby Go volunteers met with the children and their families to best inform the type of modifications\u00a0that were needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe feeling at the end is so rewarding when you see the kids drive out from behind the curtain for the first time,\u201d Gelman said.<\/p>\n
The unveiling and first drive will happen at Sunday\u2019s event, which will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Byron Recreation Complex.\u00a0It is open to the public and will feature food, games, a photo\u00a0booth\u00a0and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo Baby Go has been very special to me,\u201d said\u00a0Kathleen Egan, an occupational therapy graduate student from Rockville Centre, New York. \u201cI\u2019ve\u00a0been a part of it for all three years of its\u00a0chapter here at Scranton. I just think\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0such an exciting way to use the skills we learn in class for real-life\u00a0application.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of times, you can sit in class and learn things. But to see them come to life \u2014 and see how mobility and independence can change a child\u2019s life, through play \u2014 is so exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
In total, the University\u2019s Go Baby Go chapter had 70 students from 11 majors volunteer for\u00a0this\u00a0year\u2019s program. Together, they worked as 10 teams to create 10 cars.<\/p>\n
Go Baby Go is a national, community-based research,\u00a0design\u00a0and outreach program, which, at Scranton, is supported by\u00a0the Edward\u00a0R. Leahy Jr. Endowment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really believe in mobility as a human right. Kids\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0just need medically assisted mobility; they need to have fun and they need to play,\u201d said Stephanie DeNaples, occupational therapy faculty specialist. \u201cThis program really exemplifies the idea of working with each family and child and supplying their unique needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information, visit the organization on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n