St. Charles Kiwanis builds mobility car for young child

The St. Charles Kiwanis Club presented a toy mobility car to 5-year-old Gideon Payleitner at its Aug. 6 meeting.

The car is the focal point of the Go Baby Go program, originally a research project at the University of Delaware, that has expanded to other Kiwanis clubs and dozens of communities nationally and internationally.

The St. Charles Kiwanis Club first became aware of the program through the Oak Park/River Forest Club, and has modified the ride-in toy cars every year since 2016 and presented them to young children with mobility issues.

Gideon's car in particular has a long removable handle so his parents can help him steer until he masters the technique.

The cars are modified at Shriner's Hospital in Chicago, under the auspices of the Illinois Spina Bifida Association and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

The modified toy cars give mobility-challenged children like Gideon a chance to just be a kid. They are more able to play and socialize with other children, and independent mobility helps improve cognitive, social and language development.

The cars are also significantly less expensive than power wheelchairs, which aren't usually an option until a child is older.

Joe Cucci, co-chair of the program for the St. Charles Kiwanis Club said, "As Kiwanians, it's always 'all about the children.' When the child takes that first drive, we see the joy shared by both the child and the family. Our reward is that we're able to share in their joy."

Connie Kurr, the club's other co-chair added: "We bring mobility to a child in a way that meets their specific needs. It brings tears to my eyes and joy in my heart."

The mission of Kiwanis is to serve the children of the world, one child and one community at a time. The Go Baby Go project fulfills that mission perfectly.

For membership information, call Diane DeWitte at (630) 377-7402. Visit www.kiwanisofstcharles.org.