(Lander, WY) – When Lander mom Amber Peckham-Jones realized there were accessibility issues in the Lander community for physically-challenged children like her daughter, she looked to Go Baby Go! for a possible solution.
Go Baby Go is a nationwide effort that provides information on how to modify battery-operated ride-on cars “to give children with mobility impairments an opportunity to access play, exploration, and social encounters.”
Once Peckham-Jones had the idea, she needed to find someone who could build the devices, and a way to fund the project. That’s where Pathfinder High School teacher/robotics club advisor Sam Hartpence and the LOR Foundation stepped in.
After the LOR Foundation secured funding for the project, Sam was able to start ordering the materials needed, and his robotics team, along with other Pathfinder students, have already started helping plan the project, which they hope to have completed for the summer.
“It’s a project that brings engineering, empathy, and real-world impact together,” Hartpence commented.
Peckham-Jones’ daughter, who has cerebral palsy, will be one of six children who receive one of the devices, as well as one of Hartpence’s family members. Peckham-Jones and Hartpence shared that they hope this will be a local pilot program for the efforts, so that they can continue to provide the devices to more families in the future.
Check out the full Coffee Time interview below with Peckham-Jones, Hartpence, and LVHS student/robotics club member Ethan Titus for even more details about the project!
Be sure to tune in to Today in the 10 and Coffee Time interviews every morning from 7:00 to 9:00 AM on KOVE 1330 AM / 107.7 FM, or stream it live right here.