Helping Children Through Cooperation

Helping Children through Cooperation: Go Baby Go

Giving a child with disabilities the means for independent movement comes with a number of roadblocks, many of which fall under two seemingly disparate categories: occupational therapy and engineering. The child’s physical challenges and strengths have to be identified and accounted for, and mechanisms that play to those strengths have to be designed and constructed. Fortunately, Valparaiso University is home to both a College of Engineering and a College of Nursing and Health Professions that are nationally recognized for excellence. That, combined with the University’s commitment towards fostering interdepartmental cooperation, have led to students combining their talents for good with the GoBabyGo program.

GoBabyGo is an international program whose mission is to increase mobility and quality of life for children with limited access to services in their developmental years. According to the organization, independent mobility during a child’s formative years is heavily linked to their cognitive, social, motor and language development, and that giving them control over where they can go gives these children happier, healthier lives.

Thanks to the leadership and teamwork  of two Valpo faculty members, Reva Johnson Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering and bioengineering and Theresa Carroll OTD OTR/L, clinical associate professor or occupational therapy and doctoral capstone coordinator, Valparaiso University has become the home of the  only GoBabyGo program in northwest Indiana, creating amazing opportunities for both local families and Valpo students.

“I’ve always had a heart for kids, and to collaborate with the engineering department sounded like such an interesting experience,” says Peyton Throw ’26, a student in the entry-level occupational therapy (OT) doctorate program. “When I was a kid, I loved running around with my siblings and friends. I believe every child should have the opportunity to do so, even if it is adapted.”

Before any work could be done, participating caregivers had to fill out a detailed summary of the child’s medical diagnosis, height, weight, what forms of movement were their strengths, where they would benefit from assistance, where the custom vehicle would primarily be used (indoor or outdoor) and more. Participants also connected the Valpo teams with the child’s professional health care teams for expert consultation, and provided a video of their child at play for observation and reference.

Emily and Jason Sibbrell provided all the information necessary for their son, two-year old Reid Sibbrell, who has been diagnosed with Spina Bifida, a condition which impacts the development of the spine and spinal cord during pregnancy. Valpo OT and engineering students were able to build him a custom, motorized chair operated with a pair of joysticks on his armrests.

“He has been able to chase his brother and sisters outside in the backyard and just given him so much more independence,” says Emily. “We are truly grateful for this opportunity”

For the Valpo team, the opportunity to work with students of a completely different skill set offered unique experience in collaboration, communication, and cooperation sure to be of immense value in any future career. Biomedical engineering major Emma Lacey ’24 joined the project to combine her passions for engineering and helping children, and learned a great deal about how to do so effectively from her OT counterparts.

“Being able to hear the OT students’ perspective on the modifications that were made to the cars and the ways that the kids would realistically be using the cars helped me as an engineer think about the human aspect of this project in a much more thoughtful way,” Emma says. “ I was able to broaden my own skill set from working with them and apply that to the project.”

Of course, the main benefit to the students and participating families was the way that the Valpo students improved the lives of the children involved.

“Seeing the parents watch their child enjoy the car was equally fulfilling,” says Peyton. “As a parent, you want your child to experience life to the fullest. I believe Go Baby Go made a little piece of that happen.”

“It was the most rewarding experience to see the joy and light that it brought to these kids who were able to explore their environment independently for the first time,” Emma says. “It made me feel like I was a part of something much bigger than myself and that the work I did truly made a difference.”

Amy Babbitt, whose daughter Elliot has a rare genetic disorder called aicardi syndrome and suffers from seizures, required a car that could be controlled remotely if needed. She was thrilled with the experience of working with Valpo students to make a positive impact on her child’s life.

“Working with the students at Valpo was wonderful. They are truly great young people who have a bright future ahead of them,” Amy says. “I can see pure joy in Elliot’s eyes when she’s out driving. For me, it’s a dream come true.”

Professor Johnson and Professor Carroll, along with Valpo’s partner organizations, plan to continue the GoBabyGo program on at least an annual basis moving forward. They are seeking additional funding to make that plan a reality, and those interested in contributing can do so at (link to donation page).

Bringing students together for dynamic collaboration is a part of Valpo’s commitment to creating a top-notch learning environment, as described here in Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward. To learn more about GoBabyGo, visit their website here.