IU Partners with Riley Children's Hospital for 'Skills on Wheels' Program

IU has partnered with Riley Children's Hospital to develop the unique "Skills on Wheels" program, which prepares children who use wheelchairs for daily life. The program brings together trained professionals from Riley and IU occupational or physical therapy students to teach various skills.

The program features five activity stations, ramps, and obstacle courses that help kids between 6 and 17 years old learn essential skills such as rolling forward and backward, navigating hills, and moving through crowded areas.

Zoey McCord, a 7-year-old with Spina Bifida, was one of the first participants in the program. She said, "When we came here for the first time, she said 'Mom, they are all just like me!'"

Zoey's mom, Leslie McCord, explained that when Zoey was first introduced to her wheelchair, there was little training provided to the family. The Skills on Wheels program helped fill this gap by creating a sense of community.

Tiffany Stead, Clinical Director of the program, said, "This has been that one piece that has been missing from all of my kids' lives... This is that piece that just finally connects the equipment that I get to give them - it's like real-life situations."

Dr. Tony Chase, Director of the program, noted that IU worked with collaborators in Ireland who were doing wheelchair skills training, but not specifically pediatric-focused.

The program goes beyond just teaching skills to supporting the entire family. During the day, parents can visit the Caregiver Corner and siblings can enjoy the Sib Crib.

Chase said, "We also have something called Sib Crib for our siblings, where they're playing, having fun while their siblings are learning, but then they're also doing some activities that involve understanding of disability, and advocacy."

The program's approach is backed by data, showing increased confidence, participation in home, school, and community, and decreased fear of falling.

Zoey's mom agreed, saying, "It's just seeing her confidence and like, when she's around only able-bodied people, she starts to feel kind of down on herself... So, her being constantly around these friends just makes her feel like, 'Oh, I have a community. I have a space.' I would love for this program to just explode."