Go Baby Go: How a Modified Toy Jeep is Giving a 3-Year-Old with Cerebral Palsy New Independence

NEW BERLIN, WI — For most, getting a first car is a milestone that happens in the late teens. But for 3-year-old Vincenzo Bertoni, that moment came much earlier—and with a much greater purpose.

Vincenzo recently received his first "vehicle," a bright red Jeep. But this isn't a standard toy off a department store shelf. It is a specialized therapeutic device provided through the "Go Baby Go" program, a collaborative effort between Children’s Wisconsin and Marquette University.

The program provides modified toy cars to children aged 9 months to 5 years old to help improve their mobility and motor functions. For Vincenzo, who was born with cerebral palsy, autism, and a muscle contraction impairment, and is also deaf, independent movement has always been a significant challenge.

"I’ve never seen him light up like that before. He was in love with it instantly," said his father, Angelo Bertoni. "It’s going to enable us to even do our family walks where he’s not just sitting in a stroller. Now he’s going to be able to participate."

Customized for the Driver

The modifications are handled by a dedicated team of about a dozen students and staff members from Marquette University. Because Vincenzo struggles with traditional foot pedals, his Jeep was re-engineered so that a large, easy-to-press button on the steering wheel controls the movement.

Other modifications available through the program include:

- Personalized head and lateral trunk supports.

- Specialized padding for comfort and posture.

- LED lights to help children understand the "cause and effect" of the control buttons.

Physical therapists noted that the benefits go beyond just movement. The upright posture and independence gained from "driving" often lead to improved vocalization, better breath support for feeding, and more confident social interaction with peers and family.

Defying the Odds

Vincenzo’s journey has been one of constant persistence. Early in his life, doctors suggested he might never be able to hold up his head or walk. Today, he is doing both.

"He has got a fire in his spirit that I think is going to make him be able to do good things in his life," Angelo said.

The Milwaukee chapter of Go Baby Go has already provided 450 free cars to families in need. For Vincenzo, the Jeep represents more than just a ride—it’s a ticket to join his cousins at playtime and a way to explore the world on his own terms.

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