Paving the Way

A Message from Rebecca

Each build season at Geeks for Kids is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose. As we near the finish line of this year’s build season (our year ends on June 30), the vehicles and adaptive devices taking shape today will soon open new worlds of independence for the children who receive them.

This is the moment we have been working toward for months. It’s when the planning, designing, testing and teamwork all come together. Soon, children who face significant mobility limitations will climb into their custom vehicles for the very first time. When kids engage their drive systems and the wheels begin to move, something amazing happens. The world opens up for that child. She or he can decide where to go, what to look at, and with whom to connect on their own terms.

It’s amazing! And, what’s even more amazing is the love behind each of the assistive devices we build.

Every car we build represents countless acts of love. Families search ways to bring their child’s dream of independence to life. Doctors and therapists refer kids who need help to learn and grow in new ways. Volunteers donate their time, skills and creativity. Supporters provide the resources that make each build possible. Each small action adds up to a huge impact.

Now, as we count down the final weeks before Delivery Days, our excitement continues to grow. Soon we will witness the pure joy that comes when a child realizes they can move alongside their peers.

We can’t wait to share these special moments with you. If you would like to help make our upcoming Delivery Day a success, there are lots of ways to get involved. You can volunteer to set-up or staff Delivery Days; to do so, visit https://geeks.learnscienceandmathclub.org/schedule. Or, you can celebrate our kids’ successes and turbocharge our campaign to do more for more kids by joining us for our annual Wheels & Wishes watch party upstairs during Delivery Day KC; get your tickets at: https://geeks.learnscienceandmathclub.org/wheels-and-wishes. Whichever way you choose to participate, you will be helping love take flight.

With gratitude and hope,
Rebecca Kidwell

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Dreams on the Go

Juniper Finder Her "Go"

Juniper loves movement … but movement doesn’t come easily for her.

She is not able to sit, crawl or walk on her own, and even small, controlled movements can be a challenge. Like so many parents, Juniper’s mom and dad simply wanted a way for her to experience the world outside, and to feel the sun, be part of the action and share in the joy of play.

When Juniper’s family applied to Geeks for Kids, their hope was simple: to help Juniper be part of everyday life.

As our team got to know Juniper and her family, her dad mentioned something that might have seemed small but opened the door to great possibility. He shared that Juniper can sometimes press the button on her Switch toys with her feet. At that moment, a new approach to Juniper’s freedom took shape.

That one detail changed everything.

Our team got to work designing a car that would turn that ability into independence. Today, Juniper has a custom car she can control herself by pressing a button with her foot to tell her car to “go.”

And she does.

Now, instead of watching from the sidelines, Juniper can move, explore and be part of the action in a whole new way.

Her joy says it all.

Moments like these remind us that sometimes the smallest breakthrough can unlock something life-changing and why every child deserves the chance to find their “go.”

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Impact Drivers

The Technology Behind the Magic

When people see our cars, they see joy on wheels. But behind every custom ride is something just as important: the technology that makes it all possible and the impact it has on our little drivers.

Our design team doesn’t just build cars. They solve problems. They carefully design each new generation of vehicles using the latest tools and technologies. This allows our Design Team to plan, test and refine their ideas before a single part is built.

But design is only the beginning.

Many of our cars rely on advanced control systems to bring them to life. From customized steering controls to adaptive switches, technology allows us to tailor each vehicle to a child’s specific needs. Thanks to advanced engineering, we can adjust speed settings, improve safety features and even add fun, interactive elements like our famous Frisbee-like flyers to each vehicle.

Electronic systems are another key piece of the puzzle. Rechargeable batteries, efficient motors and smart wiring ensure that each car is reliable and easy to use. Engineers carefully balance power and safety so that every ride is safe and reliable.

And then there’s the magic of innovation.

No two children’s needs are the same, which means no two cars are the same. Volunteers create custom parts and software so that we can truly personalize every vehicle for each kid. This is how we transform a standard ride-on toy into something life-changing. And, it is how we will build the next generation of vehicles from scratch; we designed all of our systems to move seamlessly from one platform to another.

At its core, the technology behind these cars isn’t just about circuits and code. It empowers our team to turn imagination into reality. Because in the end, it’s not just about how the cars are built … It's about the impact it has on a child's life.

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Hitting the Road

Summer Fun for Every Child

Summer is a time for adventure, outdoor play and making memories. For kids with mobility limitations and their families, a little planning can help make summer activities more accessible and enjoyable.

Explore Outdoor Activities
Spending time outdoors can be fun and refreshing for the whole family. Many parks, playgrounds and nature areas are becoming more inclusive by adding accessible paths, ramps and adaptive play equipment so children who use wheelchairs, walkers or other mobility devices can participate.

When planning summer outings, look for locations with paved pathways, level surfaces and accessible seating to help make family adventures easier and more enjoyable. Many Parks & Recreation departments publish lists of accessible spaces.

Host an Outdoor Movie Night or Backyard Campout
Summer fun doesn’t always require leaving the house. Hosting an outdoor movie night or backyard campout can be a simple way to create special memories while keeping the environment comfortable and accessible.

Set up a projector or TV in the backyard or on a patio, and arrange seating that works best for your child, such as lawn chairs, blankets or space for a wheelchair or mobility device. Choose a level surface and keep pathways clear so everyone can move around easily.

Backyard camping can also be a fun adventure. (Plus, bathrooms and supplies are never far away!) Set up a tent in the yard, on a deck or even create an indoor “campout” with sleeping bags and pillows in your living room if outdoor terrain is difficult to navigate. Then, it’s time for the stuff that makes camping out fun: crazy story-telling, roasting potatoes in the fire, stargazing and making s’mores.

With a little creativity and planning, summer activities can be adapted so children of all abilities can participate and have fun. Whether exploring accessible parks or creating adventures at home, these moments build independence and lasting family memories.

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Tech Talk

Inspired to Drive

Imagine returning to professional racing after a life-changing injury. That’s exactly what Robert Wickens did after his 2018 spinal cord injury. Thanks to a remarkable custom-engineered hand-control system developed by Bosch Motorsport, Wickens controls both braking and acceleration entirely with his hands while racing.

Wicken’s DXDT Racing Corvette Z06 GT3.R uses an electronic braking system adapted for hand operation, with hand-operated paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. Developed in collaboration with Pratt Miller, this technology allowed Wickens to successfully return to high-level racing.

Wickens’ story is a huge inspiration - both for our community and for our design work. We hope that our kids and their families find hope and promise in Wicken’s experience. And, our team is equally inspired by the smart solutions Wickens and Bosch have engineered. These drive systems give Wickens full control and independence behind the wheel, just as the systems we design empower kids with mobility limitations to explore, play and experience independence.

Stories like this remind us that technology can transform lives, and innovation, whether in professional racing or kid-powered adventures, can create opportunities for everyone to push boundaries and achieve more than they ever imagined.

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