Go Baby Go Projects Rolling Along To Completion

April 19, 2019 at 12:38 a.m.


A month after three Edgewood Middle School teams started the Go Baby Go project, the modifications to the ride-on trucks are nearly complete.



Go Baby Go is a national, community-based research, design and outreach program that provides modified ride-on cars to children birth to age 3 who experience limited mobility.

Edgewood students are working with community members from DePuy, Dalton, Zimmer-Biomet and Warsaw Community Schools to modify ride-ons for three children with limited mobility.

The ride-ons resemble a small jeep.

Edgewood teacher Abbi Richcreek came up with the project after hearing about Go Baby Go at a conference. Kosciusko County Community Foundation provided a grant to get the project rolling.

Thursday afternoon, the teams met with the children and their families to get final measurements, ideas for final modifications and check their progress. The teams will meet next week to complete the ride-ons.

“We will be at First Friday May 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. We’ll have the Dream Drive where the kids will get their final design car, drive it around and after 7 p.m. take it home,” Richcreek said.

“They’ve spent lots of time trying to customize it for the children. They wanted to really please them. My students really like helping others and this project is perfect for that. I want to do this annually,” she continued.

The ride-ons plus the modifications cost $500 to $600 each.

Edgewood student Harrison Stofer is on the team modifying the ride-on for Aurora Koher, 3. Koher was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and uses a walker to get around, but the modified ride-on will give her mobility on the family farm.

Stofer said for her vehicle, they added a step to make it easier for her to get in it. A roof was added to keep her from getting sunburned, and protective columns help her get in. A basket was added in the back so she can carry stuff with her. He said they modified the pedal to make it easier for her to reach.

They still need to work on the steering wheel, but were taking measurements Thursday to do that.

“It’s been really fun. It’s been a learning experience for all of us but enjoyable as well,” Stofer said.

Koher’s grandmother, Peggy Bause, said the modifications were awesome and they’d make it easier for Koher.

DePuy staff engineer Larrie Davis is volunteering on the team for Addy Hausman, who has a rare neurodevelopmental disorder called GNA01-related disorder.

For her ride-on, Davis said they put a basket on the back, fastened the door closed, removed the plastic seat, and put a cushioned seat and modified a car seat in to give her some upper back support. He said they were working on a paddle switch to make it easier for the ride-on to go. A master motor power switch was added so Addy’s parents can turn off all the lights and buzzers but still allow her to drive.

The “personalized” touches included adding her name, mirrors and Disney decals.

“It’s been a blessing to see her get in the car and that’s what it’s all about,” Davis said.

Stephen Hausman, Addy’s dad, said, “It’s fantastic. They’ve really had a thought-out process, thinking of our daughter Addy, everything from the seat to the strap to keep her maintained and in the proper position. I think we’re very happy with what they came up with.”

The third child getting a ride-on is Sara, daughter of Fabiola Nunez. Sara has Down syndrome.

Chloe Laird, Edgewood student working on Sara’s ride-on, said they modified the vehicle so the seat was closer to the pedal. They added a switch inside so Sara can drive it or her parents can control it by remote. Noodles were added on the back and sides for cushion.

On the hood is “Sueno en Grande,” which translates to “Dream Big.” There’s also a heart on it with the sign for Down syndrome inside.

Physical therapist Dr. Aaron Turner has been consulting with the teams on the modifications.

“I think the kids did a great job. I feel like they’ve really individualized it to each kid and what their deficits were. I’m impressed with what they’ve been able to do,” he said.

Edgewood Middle School Principal JoElla Hauselman was impressed with the whole project.

“This is probably one of the best combinations of kids and community helping other kids. I’ve never seen anything like this before. ... I was so excited to see these three different teams coming out here, donating their time, helping us modify these vehicles. And I just love watching the kids’ faces and the parents’ faces when their kids can actually move their cars,” she said.

She said it was “very moving” and that the community members “realize middle school kids really can be kind of cool to be around. ... It’s been amazing.”

A month after three Edgewood Middle School teams started the Go Baby Go project, the modifications to the ride-on trucks are nearly complete.



Go Baby Go is a national, community-based research, design and outreach program that provides modified ride-on cars to children birth to age 3 who experience limited mobility.

Edgewood students are working with community members from DePuy, Dalton, Zimmer-Biomet and Warsaw Community Schools to modify ride-ons for three children with limited mobility.

The ride-ons resemble a small jeep.

Edgewood teacher Abbi Richcreek came up with the project after hearing about Go Baby Go at a conference. Kosciusko County Community Foundation provided a grant to get the project rolling.

Thursday afternoon, the teams met with the children and their families to get final measurements, ideas for final modifications and check their progress. The teams will meet next week to complete the ride-ons.

“We will be at First Friday May 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. We’ll have the Dream Drive where the kids will get their final design car, drive it around and after 7 p.m. take it home,” Richcreek said.

“They’ve spent lots of time trying to customize it for the children. They wanted to really please them. My students really like helping others and this project is perfect for that. I want to do this annually,” she continued.

The ride-ons plus the modifications cost $500 to $600 each.

Edgewood student Harrison Stofer is on the team modifying the ride-on for Aurora Koher, 3. Koher was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and uses a walker to get around, but the modified ride-on will give her mobility on the family farm.

Stofer said for her vehicle, they added a step to make it easier for her to get in it. A roof was added to keep her from getting sunburned, and protective columns help her get in. A basket was added in the back so she can carry stuff with her. He said they modified the pedal to make it easier for her to reach.

They still need to work on the steering wheel, but were taking measurements Thursday to do that.

“It’s been really fun. It’s been a learning experience for all of us but enjoyable as well,” Stofer said.

Koher’s grandmother, Peggy Bause, said the modifications were awesome and they’d make it easier for Koher.

DePuy staff engineer Larrie Davis is volunteering on the team for Addy Hausman, who has a rare neurodevelopmental disorder called GNA01-related disorder.

For her ride-on, Davis said they put a basket on the back, fastened the door closed, removed the plastic seat, and put a cushioned seat and modified a car seat in to give her some upper back support. He said they were working on a paddle switch to make it easier for the ride-on to go. A master motor power switch was added so Addy’s parents can turn off all the lights and buzzers but still allow her to drive.

The “personalized” touches included adding her name, mirrors and Disney decals.

“It’s been a blessing to see her get in the car and that’s what it’s all about,” Davis said.

Stephen Hausman, Addy’s dad, said, “It’s fantastic. They’ve really had a thought-out process, thinking of our daughter Addy, everything from the seat to the strap to keep her maintained and in the proper position. I think we’re very happy with what they came up with.”

The third child getting a ride-on is Sara, daughter of Fabiola Nunez. Sara has Down syndrome.

Chloe Laird, Edgewood student working on Sara’s ride-on, said they modified the vehicle so the seat was closer to the pedal. They added a switch inside so Sara can drive it or her parents can control it by remote. Noodles were added on the back and sides for cushion.

On the hood is “Sueno en Grande,” which translates to “Dream Big.” There’s also a heart on it with the sign for Down syndrome inside.

Physical therapist Dr. Aaron Turner has been consulting with the teams on the modifications.

“I think the kids did a great job. I feel like they’ve really individualized it to each kid and what their deficits were. I’m impressed with what they’ve been able to do,” he said.

Edgewood Middle School Principal JoElla Hauselman was impressed with the whole project.

“This is probably one of the best combinations of kids and community helping other kids. I’ve never seen anything like this before. ... I was so excited to see these three different teams coming out here, donating their time, helping us modify these vehicles. And I just love watching the kids’ faces and the parents’ faces when their kids can actually move their cars,” she said.

She said it was “very moving” and that the community members “realize middle school kids really can be kind of cool to be around. ... It’s been amazing.”

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