New York students give a young girl the gift of independence with a custom ride
- 22-month old Ivy Lindhorst received a customized mini-car from Go Baby Go
- The program helps kids with mobility challenges to get a new sense of independence
- Students from Ithaca College and Cornell University worked together to modify the car
Published on May 02, 2025 at 12:38 AM (UTC+4)
by Jason Fan
Last updated on May 01, 2025 at 2:21 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
Move over Mario Kart, there’s a new racer in town, and she’s stealing hearts at every turn with her new toy car.
22-month-old Ivy Lindhorst was born with Coffin-Siris Syndrome (SMARCB-1 variant), a rare genetic condition that affects her development and mobility.
With fewer than 1,000 known cases of her condition worldwide, Ivy’s journey is close to one-of-a-kind.
However, she will now be hitting the sidewalk in style, thanks to a customized toy car built by both Ithaca College Physical Therapy and Cornell Biomedical Engineering students.
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A personalized toy car
Ivy’s mom, Thena Lindhorst, describes her as a happy and smiley child, who is simply on a different timeline than other kids her age.
Developmentally, she’s closer to children around seven to eight months old, but now, she has something most kids don’t – a customised mini vehicle just for her.
The toy car comes equipped with a giant, toddler-friendly button that she can press to drive.
While she’s still getting the hang of steering, her parents have a remote control to help guide her along the way, like a pair of co-pilots.
In fact, she’s already been spotted taking her new wheels for a spin around the neighbourhood.
Giving children a new sense of independence
This generous gift was made possible by Go Baby Go, a ‘community-based research, design and outreach program that provides accessible, inexpensive and common-sense solutions for kids with limited mobility.’
The program customizes electric toy cars to give children with mobility challenges a new way to explore the world, one button at a time.
Ivy’s physical therapist was the one who introduced her parents to Go Baby Go, who filled out a form and got the process rolling.
“It’s given her a whole sense of independence,” said Thena.
“We’re so grateful to live in a place like Tompkins County, where resources like this are available. Not every family has access to these kinds of programs, and we feel incredibly lucky.”
Take a look at Ivy’s driving skills here:
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Jason joined the editorial team at Supercar Blondie in April 2025 as a Content Writer. As part of the growing editorial team working in Australia, and in synergy with team members in Dubai, the UK, and elsewhere in the world, he helps keep the site running 24/7, injecting his renowned accuracy and energy into every shift.
