BGSU occupational therapy students modify ride-on cars for children with limited mobility

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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - As part of their curriculum, students in the hybrid, accelerated Bowling Green State University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program recently modified ride-on cars for children who experience limited mobility.

As part of the Go Baby Go initiative - a national, community-based research, design and outreach program - BGSU OTD students and faculty evaluated each individual child's needs and then customized battery-powered vehicles to match their unique requirements and abilities.

"This is what occupational therapy is all about," said first-year OTD student Noah Zebrak. "We've been working with assistive technology and modifiable devices and adaptations. Go Baby Go allows us to bring together what we've learned in the program and lab and be creative while helping put smiles on the faces of kids and their parents."

Working with the families, Zebrak and his classmates modified the vehicles using low-cost materials to improve accessibility and safety. While all the vehicles were modified to include a remote control for parents, students were tasked with making personalized adjustments to meet their assigned child's specific needs.

"Through this event, our students are thinking critically and clinically about situations before making adaptations," said Allen Keener, Ph.D., associate clinical professor of occupational therapy. "The students are collaborating and problem-solving in real time and advocating for what they think is best for their patients.

"These are all skills they will carry forward with them into their internships and employment as occupational therapists."

For one of the participants, five-year-old Cooper Mowen, the BGSU students created an adapted seat to raise him higher to accommodate his legs, installed a push-button accelerator so he wouldn't have to use the pedals and added support barriers and shoulder straps to help him stay upright.

The attention to detail and the time committed to making Cooper's vehicle safe did not go unnoticed.

"We've always wanted to get a car like this, but the vehicles aren't safe enough for him," said Emily Mowen, Cooper's mother. "Now he will be able to do something that other kids his age do on their own, while having the support and adaptations needed to make it more accessible for him."

Mowen said the personally outfitted motorized vehicle will make it much easier to go adventuring, whether it's down the street or on the go.

"I am so thankful to BGSU for hosting this event," Mowen said. "Not only was it an opportunity for the occupational therapy students to gain more experience, but it also opened so many doors for Cooper to grow."

Spending nearly three hours with Cooper and his mom, BGSU OTD student Caidence Jennings asked questions, made the proper adaptations and learned more about Cooper. In addition to modifying the vehicle, Jennings took the time to hand-paint flames on the front and back of Cooper's vehicle to make it look "faster."

A New Orleans native, Jennings chose BGSU for the OTD program's innovative model, enjoying the flexibility of the hybrid delivery and the ability to earn her doctorate in just two years. While on campus for two weeks of hands-on immersive lab experiences, Jennings and her classmates couldn't contain their excitement for this event.

"Staying with two other girls in the program, the Go Baby Go event was all we could talk about," Jennings said. "Everything we did on campus was a building block leading up to the event. We kept talking about the modifications we wanted to make and the personalization we wanted to add.

"This reaffirmed that I made the right decision to attend BGSU. I am thankful to have been a part of this event, and I look forward to continuing the OTD program."

As part of the program's first cohort, Jennings, Zebrak and their classmates will wrap up their first year this summer before beginning rotations during their second year.

As for the Go Baby Go, the BGSU OTD program hopes to make this an annual event and continue to have a positive impact by serving families in the region.

This year's event was supported by The Ability Center of Greater Toledo, allowing all ride-on vehicles to be sent home with families at no cost.