If you see 4-year-old Caylei Fells taking her brand-new pink car for a spin around the Early Childhood School, give her a smile and a wave. Chances are, you’ll get a big smile back.
That smile is the hard-earned result of Go Baby Go, a national program brought to Frisco ISD thanks to a Frisco Education Foundation grant, to provide a special child with a ride-on vehicle customized to their mobility needs.
Caylei has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, and she receives specialized services in an Active Learning Class at ECS. Caylei’s mobility issues and bright spirit made her the perfect candidate for Go Baby Go, physical therapist Regina Pigg said.
“Sweet Caylei didn’t want to use her hands at all and was really resistant to bring them away from her body,” Regina said, recalling when she met Caylei. “Her classroom teacher and I had several goals for her to practice at school and get her willing to explore and experience with her hands. As we were working through that, we said she’s our next candidate.”
Her hard-working, positive attitude and steady improvement was noticed by everyone at ECS.
“She is truly the brightest light,” Regina said. .”Every single person at this campus knows her. She’s incredibly hard working. We ask her to do a lot of hard things, just to move her body. Those are really challenging. But she rarely ever cries — she smiles through it.”
After discussing the project with Caylei’s mom, Jada, the wheels started turning.
The car was secured through an FEF grant along with sponsors Dallas Cowboys and Texas Lottery. To modify the vehicle for Caylei, Regina contacted Robert Dahl, an engineering teacher at the Career and Technical Education Center, who identified a team of student volunteers.
“We spent a lot of time trying to determine what adjustments would actually benefit Caylei,” said CTEC student Brett Dunn, a Reedy High School senior. “We were trying to see transportation from a very different perspective. Our goal was to turn a toy into a safe and useful mobility device.”
After whittling down a big wishlist, CTEC students outfitted the car with:
A big red button that makes the car move forward, placed in a reachable location for Caylei
A “radio” with an SD card loaded with Caylei’s favorite music
A relocated horn that’s more easily accessible
To prepare Caylei for the car and help develop her reach and strength, ECS staff had her working with switches and buttons in the classroom. Over time and with determination, Caylei’s mood and mobility improved.
That incredible transformation is noticeable at home, too, her mom said.
“I started to see changes in Caylei right away,” Jada said. “When she started at ECS, she wasn’t reaching or doing much. I promise you, when I transferred her, they helped her so much. She’s extending her arms and smiling — when I drop her off in the morning, she lights up and is so happy.”
Jada was shocked to hear Caylei would receive the car, and even more shocked when she saw it. Her expectations were blown away by the customizations, and by Caylei’s joyful reaction, too.
“It’s an answered prayer,” she said. “As a caregiver with two children with special needs, to have that support is rare and unmatched. To meet people who have the heart posture to help children like Caylei, a team of people willing to go out for your child — I’m grateful. I’m in awe.”
The unveiling of the car brought together Caylei, her mom, the ECS team, the CTEC students who worked on it, CTEC’s Robert Dahl, ECS teacher Amanda Fleck, Managing Director of Special Education Christine Davis and FEF Director Ashley Sine. Regina Pigg said the unveiling was a heartwarming moment, and just another reminder of why they do what they do.
“The kids we work with, they’re not usually seen in this way, and there’s not a lot of them,” Regina said. “Any time we can highlight and celebrate opportunities these kids have and allow them to have a voice and their families to have a voice, is important. It’s a neat thing.”
- Rachel McReynolds