GoBabyGo! Nebraska! | Munroe-Meyer Institute | University of Nebraska Medical Center

GoBabyGoWeb

Research shows that independent mobility changes the way children think about space, objects and social interaction. Based on this, Cole Galloway, PT, PhD, at the University of Delaware, founded GoBabyGo to make mobility devices accessible, affordable and easy to use for all children. Twice yearly, Go Baby Go-trained professionals modify ride-on toy cars for children with movement difficulties and provides them to children who may benefit with no cost to the family.

Nebraska’s GoBabyGo! chapter was established in 2016 and funded by the Munroe-Meyer Guild. This program is a partnership between MMI's Department of Physical Therapy, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) engineering department and the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions/Physical Therapy students.

See a photo album from the 2019 fall build.

Take a peek at what GoBabyGo! does for children and professionals:

Additional resources related to GoBabyGo in the Midwest region:

Frequently Asked Questions

Your child is a candidate if:

They are between the ages of 9 months and 5 years.
They have mobility limitations or developmental delays in walking.
They can sit with trunk support and control their head upright, at least intermittently, when their trunk is well-supported.
They have adequate vision to see across the room, with our without glasses.

Children who currently have or are soon to receive a power chair are not considered.

The cost of modifying a ride on car is approximately $500.00. It takes a team of 3 to 5 volunteers about 3 hours to customize the car for a specific child. To date, all cars have been provided free to families through generous donations from community donors, including:

Munroe-Meyer Guild
NU Foundation
Community groups
Individual donors

Most cars are given away on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We do ask that:

All families attend the build so the car can be appropriately fitted for the child,
The child has a community based physical or occupational therapist who is actively following them to assist with car use once home, and
The community based physical or occupational therapist attend the fitting on the day of the GoBabyGo build to ensure that all safety factors are addressed.

Typically 8 to 10 cars, but numbers vary.

Community builds happen twice annually: in early fall and spring. These events rely on a large pool of student volunteers. Volunteers determine the dates about three months in advance.

Community builds are held on Saturday mornings and families/children come for fittings between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

For your child to be considered for a car:

Please review all FAQs on this web page (specifically 'How do I know if my child might qualify'). If you have questions about qualification, please email our team.

Application Process:

Review the following forms which must be signed by the child's parent or legal guardian and returned to us before the application can be finalized.
- GoBabyGo Agreement (PDF)
- UNMC Media Authorization form (PDF)
Print one of the applications below. (online applications coming soon)
- Families - apply here (PDF)
- Therapists referring a child - apply here (PDF)
Send us your application.
- Email to gobabygo@unmc.edu
- Fax to 402-559-9263
- Mail to GoBabyGo! Nebraska! c/o Munroe Meyer Institute - Physical Therapy Department, 985450 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5450

At this time, we only use specific models/types of cars and are not accepting donations of previously used cars. But thanks for thinking of us!

Please email our volunteer team at gobabygo@unmc.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

For your child to be considered for a car:

Application Process:

With gratitude, we thank our generous donors to date for making this program a success: