The Problem
A child’s independent mobility, from taking their first steps to waving their parents “bye-bye” for the first time, is vital to their development. However, 1 in 6 children in the US have a developmental disability (such as cerebral palsy), and more than 500,000 children suffer from congenital mobility issues, and are therefore unable to experience this mobility. Unfortunately, pediatric power wheelchairs, the most prominent solution that provides independent mobility, cost upwards of $25,000 and take up to 5 years to receive. These inaccessible assistive technologies counterproductively discourage the child from seeking alternatives to overcome their disability and exploring their freedom of movement.
I faced this alarming reality in 2019, while volunteering at a local music therapy facility for children with neurological impediments. As I discerned the extreme difficulty of these children to move independently, I thought to myself, “Why do kids, who should be able to express their freedom to their fullest potential not have the technologies available to do so?” I was inspired to create a cost-and-time efficient alternative that advocates for an inclusive environment, involves people of all ages, and makes a tangible difference in all areas of my community, from households to schools to hospitals; thus, in 2021, I founded my 501(c)(3), Magical Motors.
Your Solution
As opposed to pediatric power wheelchairs, which cost thousands of dollars and take several years to receive, our Magical Motors cars cost between $250 and $300 and take 3 hours to entirely build. We accomplish this by rewiring the accelerator pedal into a hand-controlled push button, applying soldering and drilling techniques; the button is eventually attached to the steering wheel. In other words, the car is controlled by the push of your hand, not your foot. We also create back support and seat accommodations using accessible materials such as PVC pipes, kickboards, and 5-point harnesses. Finally, we aesthetically customize the car towards the recipient’s liking, permitting a sense of personalization that is not feasible with its expensive counterpart. We perform these modifications while still prioritizing recipient satisfaction and safety.
Recently, when Sebastian, a 6-year-old with cerebral palsy, first tried to drive his Paw Patrol-themed Jeep, he could not successfully do so, because his weaker right hand could not steer the car. So, we thought of attaching a PVC rod so that he could steer with his left and push with his right!
While operating these cars, recipients nurture their motor and cognitive abilities and advance their autonomy. Likewise, while building these cars, car-builders, participate in a meaningful, substantial leadership-volunteer-STEM project.
Founding Story
As we began researching more about “hackable” assistive technologies, we uncovered the possibilities that we could fulfill with this project. We also found there wasn’t a standardized student syllabus for car-building, so we took the initiative to create a system where students could access a plethora of resources to guide them through the process.
"The final domino” of our creation of Magical Motors was simply realizing what these kids do not have access to: mobility; we therefore aspire to make sure that each child feels equal to every other child, that they can race toward independence.
Your Impact
As I have modified more cars, I have discerned that each car delivery that results in a smile on a child’s face as they begin exploring their independence is a success in itself. To date, we have involved over 500 people and have donated more than 25 cars. Also seeking to translate our cars into a medical approach, we are introducing our vehicles as rehabilitation devices in therapy clinics and as uplifting transport vehicles in perioperative settings and burn clinics across the nation. On the other hand, we are consulting both STEM-education organizations and schools in 5 states that are establishing chapters using our car-building curriculum. Furthermore, we are also working with companies like Honda to have already-manufactured cars for hospitals. We are also experimenting with other modifications, such as advanced stereo systems and remote-controls, in our current cars.
We also regularly host build events—where we build 3 to 5 cars—with high schoolers at the Si Se Puede Foundation, medical students at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, and physicians at Valleywise Health and Phoenix Children’s Hospital (the latter two where we donate our hospital cars). We have also raised more than $25,000, and received recognitions such as 1 of 26 Ashoka + Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit teams, as well as 1 of 25 Ashoka + Prudential Emerging Visionaries nationwide.
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