Noah is almost two years old, and loves music and mechanical toys, as well as visits to the park, preschool and church. Noah was born with Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes severe joint deformities, making him unable to sit, crawl or stand on his own.

Luckily for Noah, and for many other children that face mobility challenges, the Go Baby Go program provides modified, battery operated, ride-on cars to young children with disabilities so they can move independently.

Research has shown that independent mobility promotes cognitive, social, motor, and language skills, which are directly due to the benefits of being in control of exploring and interacting with the environment. Interacting with others happens at a higher level when a child can independently seek out their friends, rather than by being carried by an adult.

Children typically can’t use power wheelchairs until they’re older, so Go Baby Go cars provide independence at a much younger age and at a relatively low cost. The cars – fitted with special electric switches and other modifications, including seating support and padding – cost around $200.

Go Baby Go was founded by Professor Cole Galloway as part of a research project at the University of Delaware but researchers have also trained volunteers across the country to modify the cars so more children have access to them. Noah’s Go Baby Go car was adapted through a special collaboration between Boyer, Waypoint Pediatric Therapies and Numotion.