MEDIA ADVISORY: Go, Baby Go! Mizzou Will Fit Children with Mobility Impairments With Toy Cars
Story Contact(s):
Sheena Rice, ricesm@missouri.edu, 573-882-8353
WHAT:
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Engineering students and researchers from the University of Missouri will be training children and families to use custom-fit toy cars to improve the day-to-day lifestyle of children who have mobility impairments as part of Go, Baby Go! Mizzou.
Students modified the battery-powered ride-on cars to be custom fit for each child based on a clinical assessment for the child’s needs.
WHO:
The participating children were recommended by their care providers from Children’s Therapy Center and Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Bill Janes, assistant research professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, is leading Go, Baby Go! Mizzou. More than 20 students will be assisting throughout the event.
Collaborative partners include the School of Health Professions’ occupational therapy and physical therapy departments, and the College of Engineering’s electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and bioengineering departments. Other partners include the Children’s Therapy Center, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Mizzou Therapy Services and two collaborators from Creighton University.
WHEN:
Sunday, Sept. 10
8 a.m. – noon (children will be present from 11 a.m. – noon)
1 – 5 p.m. (children will be present from 4 – 5 p.m.)
WHERE:
Clark Hall, 6th Floor, MU Campus
WHY:
The goal of Go, Baby Go! Mizzou is to improve and study early childhood mobility to provide better therapy outcomes for children in Missouri.
NOTE:
The sessions are only open to volunteers, families, participants and members of the media.