The PlasmaCar: Cool for Kids With or Without Special Needs

Liam finally got to take his new wheels out for a spin. He absolutely loved it, although, next time we'll know that when he wears shorts, his legs tend to slide off the car a bit. Typically when we go out, Liam is in a stroller. When he was younger, he was completely content with this, since he's been an observer, a people watcher, from the moment he was born. But as he's getting older, he's no longer satisfied sitting on the sidelines. He wants to join in. 

Enter the award-winning PlasmaCar. It has to be one of the coolest things ever invented. I don't think I've ever seen Liam so free. It's not even specifically made for kids with low muscle tone or paralysis of the legs or feet, but it sure works perfectly, at least for Liam. And, seriously, you can't beat the $50 price tag, especially when so many bikes modified for children with special needs can cost well into the thousands.There is some scientific explanation (that I don't quite understand) having to do with inertia, force, and friction, allowing the car to move without a battery or motor, but here's how it works in a nutshell: the car goes when you turn the wheel back and forth. Seriously, that's it. No movement of the legs or feet required. We have tile floors in our apartment, so he is able to drive around inside with no problems. I know some of the reviewers said they had a hard time with it outside on cement, but the trail we took Liam to drive on had rather smooth cement, so we had no problems outside.
 

My Mom sent the car to Liam as an Easter present, and the second he saw the box, he insisted I put it together immediately. By the way: it was super easy and took me less than 10 minutes.

This crazy child was so excited -- he couldn't even be bothered to put clothes on.

Liam is completely and utterly obsessed with the thing. I have caught him, on several occasions, giving it hugs and kisses and telling it "goodnight." He also makes it take naps: Nap time, Car. Night-night.

I didn't even know it was possible for him to get this excited over anything. He's rather low-key. I'm usually disappointed on Christmas, Easter, and his birthday because he is sooooo not dramatic when it comes to opening gifts. I often tell him he needs to take lessons from his Uncle Seanie. My brother used to open a present, jump around, and scream "Oh my God. Oh my God!" For now I guess this is the closest we'll get. I'll take it.

Thanks, Grandma!