Power Wheels Jeep Helps Rehabbing Youth

Power Wheels Wrangler Helps 16-Month-Old Rehab Patient Discover His Own Mobility

We can’t imagine you’ll find a more important Jeep than this one. That’s because this green Power Wheels Wrangler isn’t your ordinary toy.

Nope, this custom, mini off-roader is helping 16-month-old Carter Brown learn to get around. After suffering a traumatic brain injury at birth, learning to crawl and walk is difficult.

To make it easier for little Carter, the Power Wheels Jeep has been modified extensively. It’s got an adapted steering wheel, a big accelerator button, a new seat, and a frame. And there’s a remote control that allows others to operate the Wrangler, until Carter can fully do so himself.

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Dr. Chase Pfeifer is the assistant research director for the Rehabilitation Engineering Center. He tells 10/11 News Now that the Jeep is an important tool in helping Carter gain mobility.

“The ability to sit in a battery-powered vehicle and press a button on the steering wheel to start up the engine and go, as opposed to using pedals, gives Carter the ability to become independent, be mobile and to learn cause and effect,” says Dr. Pfeifer.

“Since Carter was born with his birth injury, seeing his smile is what makes me heal every day. And just seeing that, was an amazing experience for me,” says Katy Brown, Carter’s mom.

Furthermore, Carter’s father, Chris, says he gets excited seeing the progress his son is making.

“I mean even today pushing the button to go, six or eight months ago he wouldn’t have come even close. So yeah, baby steps, has kind of been our motto. And we’re on our own timeline with Carter. And hopeful with that timeline. Eventually he’ll get it all figured out and we think he’s off to a good start.”

Like we said, it’s hard to imagine finding a Jeep more important than this one.