UCF Go Baby Go!

Initiative Growing

Hazel Thomson, 19 months old, threw her head back and unraveled into a giggly fit as she

pressed her tiny hands onto the round button in front of her.

Just like that, off she went, relishing in an experience she had never before embraced.

Mobility.

I was recruited for this initiative from the very start about a year and a half ago, said Darcy

Dzurino, third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Central Florida.

Since then, I have been able to network with many clinicians, sponsors, and volunteer

organizations.

It has been amazing to see the different diagnoses of children we help, hear their stories and

witness their families' enthusiastic reactions.

Thomson is one of many children born with motor impairments and given an opportunity to

experience the first glimpses of increasing independence through the UCF Go Baby Go!

initiative started in 2015 by Dr. Jennifer Tucker, a pediatric specialist and associate lecturer for

the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UCF.

UCF Go Baby Go! strives to provide innovative, affordable and accessible strategies to help

improve the lives of individuals with limited mobility. Early mobility and exploration of the

environment is imperative to a childs physical, cognitive and social development, Tucker said.

Dzurino is a graduate research assistant working under Tucker for this specific initiative.

Currently, our program has Go Baby Go! workshops, harness systems, research labs and the

launch of Floridas first therapy caf, the Knights on the Go Caf, Dzurino said. Harnesses are

integrated into the caf for people with disabilities to have an opportunity to interact with people
around their age, embrace movement and coordinate the daily operations within the

establishment.

On Friday, Sept. 9, UCF Go Baby Go! hosted their fifth workshop at UCFs Fairwinds Alumni

Center. It was the first time the program collaborated with Orlando Health.

Ten cars were built and decorated by third-year DTP students, community partners, sponsors, and

families. Pictures and videos were then captured as many of the children experienced their new

freedom of mobility for the first time.

Orlando residents Thomas Thomson, 45, and Cynthia Thomson, 39, are Hazel Thomson's

parents.

Hazel Thomson was born with Down syndrome and limited lower-body movement, Thomas

Thomson said.

July of 2016, the Thomsons attended the National Down Syndrome Congress annual convention

in Orlando, where they came across UCF Go Baby Go!. Intrigued, they placed their daughter in

one of the cars.

We were super excited to see Hazel use it for the first time because it gave her the ability to

make decisions for herself. Cynthia Thomson said. There are so many things she wants to do

and she is just not there yet. This can help ease her way to getting there.

With this opportunity Hazel Thomson is now able to go outside, be in control and be mobile with

her two sisters, Thomas Thomson said.

It took her two seconds to learn how to use the car, Cynthia Thomson said. She was like

Whoa Im moving! When she took her hands off and it stopped, she immediately put them back

on.

You could see her expression, Thomas Thomson said. She was thinking this is really cool.

The convention was also where Tucker received the Presidents Award from NDSC President

Marilyn Tolbert in recognition of UCF Go Baby Go!s efforts.

That moment was exceedingly overwhelming because there is nothing more meaningful than to

be recognized by the families we serve, Tucker said. So to get an award from an organization

that represents those families says we are doing just what we are supposed to do.

Tucker said UCF Go Baby Go! is the most rewarding thing she has ever done.

We are building a community," Tucker said. "We are connecting with families. We are

connecting with clinicians. And we are working collectively for something possible. We are just

grateful to have the support of our university and our community partners to continue to strive

and meet that need.

In October, UCF Go Baby Go! will be attending the National Student Conclave for physical

therapy in Miami to build, Dzurino said.

Being able to attend nationals is an astounding accomplishment, Dzurino said. We are hoping

to have the momentum continue.