Learn’s Geeks for Kids gives away electric cars to children with mobility challenges

MERRIAM, Kan. (KCTV) - For 5-year-old Rhea Chancellor, getting behind the wheel of her very own electric car wasn’t just fun, it was a taste of independence.

This weekend, Geeks for Kids, a program powered by the nonprofit Learn, gave away 100 custom-built electric cars to children with mobility challenges. The event, hosted at the Porsche dealership in Merriam, Kansas, brought out families, engineers, and volunteers, all united by the same mission: letting kids be kids.

Rhea, who lives with a rare neurological condition called AFM that limits movement below her shoulders, was all smiles during her test drive. Her car was equipped with special controls designed to work with her abilities.

“Yes, freedom, independence, inclusion,” her mom, Wanda Chancellor, said. “Inclusion is the biggest part for us. Her being able to go out into the world, to be able to drive and do it all on her own, is just huge.”

Each car is uniquely designed to fit the physical needs of its young driver. Some use joystick controls. Others operate with oversized buttons, head movement or breath directed. Many come with remote-controlled override features for parents to assist.

Engineer Randy Childers is a member of “Pit Crew 2,” which was teaching kids the controls before their test drive.

“From a selfish perspective, it is fantastic working on this project. It is so much fun because of the people I work with are the best people I’ve ever met,” Childers said. “You would not believe how much technology is in (these) cars.”

Childers, Learn President Rebecca Kidwell and others spent months deg and building the vehicles from the ground up.

The program is ed entirely by donations. This year, Learn raised $500,000 for the Fisher Price cars, which unfortunately were discontinued in January. Next year, they will be looking to pair with a new toy car manufacturer.

“The parents are crying and the team is cheering and the kids are smiling,” Kidwell said. “And you think, wow, I could make more cars. I could make more assistive devices.”

Among the new drivers was 2-year-old Leon, who has leg abnormalities. His specially built car includes a soft flying disk that he can launch while driving around the neighborhood. The engineers constructed it with a 3D printer.

“He’s going to have a great summer,” his mother, Dierra McDaniel, said. “He’s going to be throwing his frisbees around and playing with his friends. It’s going to be great.”

Whether they were racing a sibling or sharing the ride, every child left with more than just a vehicle; they left with a sense of possibility.

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