Dozen toddlers with spina bifida can move around thanks to retrofitted battery-powered cars

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A dozen toddlers with a disorder that causes paralysis now have a way to get around on their own.

Teams of engineers and physical therapists gathered at Shriners Children's Hospital this weekend. They retrofitted battery-powered cars for kids with spina bifida.

Each child got his or her very own pint-size car.

"We're making a few electrical and structural modifications to allow them to drive the cars without the use of their feet so, we're adding an accelerator, a go button," said engineer Kyle Kaveny.

"She can't move like every other kid, so this means that she is going to be able to have finally her freedom to move around," said Sergio Hernandez, whose daughter has spina bifida.

The engineers have installed several safety mechanisms, so parents can shut off the car whenever they need to.

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the Kiwanis Club of River Forest/Oak Park and the Illinois Spina Bifida Association helped host the event.