DHS Engineering Students Customize Vehicles for Kids with Cerebral Palsy

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Cerebral Palsy DHS CCSU GoBabyGo! 5-13-16

Photo from Darien Public Schools

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Five youngsters got to take home a new customized car recently courtesy of a unique collaborative between Darien High School (DHS), Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), and the organization GoBabyGo!

The cars — retrofitted Toys R Us vehicles — were modified for the children, all of whom have Cerebral Palsy which affects body movement and muscle coordination. The new customized rides now serve as a tool for mobility and as a form of physical therapy.

Cerebral Palsy DHS CCSU GoBabyGo! 5-13-16

Photo from Darien Public Schools

They are also meant to be fun to drive — something the youngsters got to try out on the DHS track recently with their families.

“This is giving high school students the unique opportunity to learn from and connect with these amazing and strong kids, and empower them to be their best and most confident selves,” said DHS teacher Jeromy Nelson, coordinator for Technology Education.

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— This announcement previously was published in the Darien Public Schools “News of the Week” newsletter.

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Nelson and DHS teacher Richard Reynolds oversaw the project. DHS student Finley Wetmore served as project leader as part of her coursework in the Independent Projects in Engineering class.

To participate, DHS students raised $2,300 from Darien businesses and families to purchase the vehicles. Working with the families and children, along with their physical therapists, the cars were then modified for the specific needs of the child.

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DHS students and CCSU pre-service Technology Education teachers worked together to make the changes, some of which included a PVC back frame, a colorful accelerator button on the steering wheel, or an easily accessible kill-switch.

The organization GoBabyGo! — founded at the University of Delaware — has a primary purpose of providing greater mobility for students with disabilities. DHS joined CCSU’s ongoing efforts with this organization.

Nelson said the project was meaningful to students. “You saw the students come together and work to make this a great event,” he said.

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