New ride, new sense of independence

Cassidy-Rae Luebbering, 10, rides in her car for the first time Friday at the Special Learning Center. The cars were sponsored through the Go Baby Go program and were customized to help children with physical needs.
Cassidy-Rae Luebbering, 10, rides in her car for the first time Friday at the Special Learning Center. The cars were sponsored through the Go Baby Go program and were customized to help children with physical needs.

Cassidy-Rae Luebbering, a 10-year-old who has cerebral palsy, quadriplegia and severe to moderate hearing loss, will now be granted a taste of independence and mobility with the help of her new ride, a 12-volt modified power wheel.

A partnership between the Special Learning Center and Mid-Mo Go Baby Go, a volunteer program that modifies power wheels for children with disabilities, has made Luebbering and her mom, Renee Luebbering, forever thankful.

Renee Luebbering told the News Tribune her daughter has had more than 13 surgeries in her lifetime and cannot walk, stand or hold herself up due to her disabilities. Luebbering said the motorized big wheel is exactly what her daughter needs to boost her confidence.

"This little girl always has a smile on her face, no matter what her obstacles are," Luebbering said. "This is going to be great for our family."

In order for Cassidy-Rae to operate the big wheel, the pedals were replaced with a push button. The team also built special support straps to help keep her sitting upright.

This feat was accomplished with the help of the Robotics Club at Helias Catholic High School and the Go Baby Go team, which is made up of volunteer physical and occupational therapists at the SLC.

Typically, a $50 donation is made to help with the costs of converting the power wheels to accessible rides, but the Luebberings received theirs as a gift.

With the help of a $125 donation by family friend Lana Alton and a fundraiser hosted by the SLC, Cassidy-Rae took off down the hall with a big smile on her face.

Her car was the 13th one completed by the Go Baby Go volunteers over the last year.

"The whole goal is to give kids mobility at an early age and to make it affordable for families," said Becky Schaefer, physical therapist at the SLC.

"Kids that are one or two wouldn't be getting a power chair," added Bridget Berhorst, occupational therapist at the SLC. "Here, we can make something safe for them, which would help motivate them toward working to build up their other skills because they have some independence."