TRAILBLAZER NATION

By Richard B. Williams, President, Utah Tech University

One special day each year, I have the best view on campus from the back window of my office as local children experience mobility for the first time while their parents cheer them on. As participants in the national Go Baby Go program, students in Utah Tech University’s physical therapist assistant and engineering programs gain valuable hands-on learning experiences while adapting motorized toy cars to meet the needs of specific local children and making a lasting impact on our community.

Months before campus is transformed into a speedway, children with special needs who can benefit from specialized mobility assistance are identified, and students and faculty in our physical therapist assistant program start meeting with selected families. For our last event held in November, eight children were served, and each one was evaluated to determine what each of their cars needed to make movement possible.

After needs were assessed, students began retrofitting the cars with large, easy-to-press buttons for the children to use. These were in addition to remote controls that parents could use to help maneuver their child’s vehicle, when necessary. A truly customized experience, engineering students fabricated a footplate for a child born without arms and with only one functional foot so that the child could successfully steer the vehicle. This is a prime example of how Go Baby Go gets kids moving on their own early in life to experience the world around them. Students also took advantage of the makerspace in Utah Tech’s Atwood Innovation Plaza to build custom headrests, chest plates, and other accessories.

Beyond the functionality of the vehicle, students and faculty took pride in learning about each child and customizing cars and accessories to reflect the interests of each individual. The process brought learning to life for the UT students as they applied the lessons they learned in coursework, worked with patients and their families, and engaged with the community. This collaborative experience also included students in the University of Utah’s physical therapy doctoral program that is housed on the Utah Tech campus.

Seeing kids be mobile for the first time without having to depend on anyone else was a highlight of this project for both the participating families and students. However, it came with its own set of unique challenges as the first-time drivers started the experience with a few bumps into parents and garbage cans. Fortunately, the crazy maneuvers didn’t last long as children got more familiar with their vehicles and took siblings for rides in their passenger seats. At the end of the day, watching children experience independence and mobility for the first time truly made it a great day to be a Trailblazer!

Richard B. Williams, President, Utah Tech University