Go Baby Go

Greyson Johnson is surrounded by his Prisma health “pit crew.” Help from physical therapy at Kidnetics had him driving like a pro in no time. A new assistive-car project through the Prisma Health Center for Prosthetics & Orthotics places children with mobility issues securely in the driver’s seat.

The Go Baby Go program, led by Katie Willison, CPO, has Prisma Health orthotists and prosthetists in the Upstate working with other team members in Kidnetics® and our Children’s Hospital to determine how best to customize these ride-on toy cars so that children with mobility challenges can safely drive them to play and socialize with their peers. Volunteers from Prisma Health and the community carefully modify each car for the individual needs of the child. After a safety evaluation is performed by the clinical engineering team, the car is given free of charge to families or recipient organizations. The center worked with retired engineers at Furman University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on the initial build.

“It’s hard to get around in the grass with a wheelchair, and this will allow my son, Brady, to be in the yard and driveway,” said his mother, Amy Bailey. “It’s a game changer for him to be outside and do the things that other 4-year-olds can.” Another mother said, “Greyson wants to do so much, but his body won’t let him. This will change a lot for him. He’s an outgoing little boy, and I think this will bring out even more of his personality.”

Independent mobility is widely linked to cognitive, social, motor and other developmental benefits in young children. But for children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and muscle weakness, independent environmental exploration may be difficult or impossible.

More than $2,500 in personal donations from Prisma Health’s Post-Acute team was raised within a few weeks, making possible the purchase and retrofitting of seven assistive cars, which tallies about $350 per auto. The modified vehicles can be steered and moved forward by the child or remotely operated by a parent. Other modifications include supportive seating and adding external frames for postural support, said Todd O’Hare, manager of the Center for Prosthetics & Orthotics. These first cars went to Upstate children for home use and to local organizations such as the Prisma Health Wonder Center, though O’Hare says the cars will be modified for use in the Midlands, too.

“The power of play in a child’s development cannot be overstated,” said Cady Williams, MD, Medical Director of The Wonder Center, which provides therapeutic day treatment for medically fragile children. “It is even more important for a child with medical complexity. Play helps children advance developmentally, cope, manage pain, express themselves and connect with others. It’s absolutely critical to their growth and development.”

If you would like to make a donation, go to PrismaHealthUpstateGiving.org (type GoBabyGo for the designation) or call 864-797-7732.