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 01, 2025 at 4:38 PM (UTC-4)
by Jason Fan
Last updated on May 01, 2025 at 4:38 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:
