His new car, built around his physical abilities, gives him not just mobility but also a meaningful boost to his development.

Emberling, who was born two months early and has a genetic condition, arrived with his parents, Stephanie Fisher and Ryan Emberling, to take part in the university’s annual Go Baby Go car pickup event.

“It means a lot,” Fisher said. “All of the challenges that he’s had, it has really taken a village.”

That village was out in full force Saturday, with students, faculty, staff and community partners transforming the garage into a buzzing workshop-turned-racetrack. Emberling's new ride — decked out in dinosaur stickers and equipped with a push-button gas pedal on the steering wheel — was designed to match both his personality and his specific needs.

“He is our little trooper,” Fisher said. “We call him our little dinosaur. He is the happiest kiddo that there ever was. He rarely cries and he gives anybody and everybody a smile at all times.”

“His overall gross motor function and ability to propel himself is fairly limited at this stage,” Emberling said. “So, the opportunity for him to be able to move himself as he's interested in something we're really excited about that for our little guy.”

“It’s not just for fun but will be an important part of Iggy’s physical therapy,” he added. “We want him to have fun, we want him to be safe, and we want him to be able to go where he wants to go. Thank you so much to Quinnipiac and to everyone who has helped make this event possible. We are incredibly grateful, and I've frankly just been blown away at every level.”

Emberling's family was one of four from Connecticut to pick up their cars on Saturday.

Quinnipiac students spent the semester modifying off-the-shelf ride-on cars, adding adaptive seating, soft supports made from pool noodles, hand controls and personalized touches. Physical therapy graduate students led the charge, working with physical therapy faculty members Linda Bedard and Michelle Broggi, as well as occupational therapy students and facilities staff who assisted with complex modifications on-site.

“What we do is take off-the-shelf, ride-on toy cars and modify them so that children with disabilities or movement limitations are able to partake in driving a car,” said Broggi. “It provides cognitive engagement, cause and effect. It provides social opportunities, and it also helps with their overall physical development.”

“It's really gratifying to see the families be happy and then also see all of our hard work pay off,” said physical therapy graduate student Matthew Hom, who led Go Baby Go with classmate Kaitlyn Fitzgerald.

“It's awesome for our team, for the families and for the child,” said Fitzgerald.

The facilities staff not only provided workspace and tools but also donated time and expertise to assist students with complex modifications.

“If we run into a pitfall, the facilities workers bail us out,” said Bedard. “We’ve had a long-standing, beautiful relationship with Quinnipiac’s Facilities Department.” Indeed, Sam Bzydyra was on hand on Saturday to provide renovations on the fly.

Quinnipiac’s Car Club also contributed with a $4,000 donation.

“How important are donations? They are everything,” she said. “We can’t exist without them. You can only sell so many cupcakes.”