A Birmingham, Alabama based stay-at-home mom came up with a wonderful idea to make the shopping experience for children with special needs a little more functional and enjoyable.
Drew Ann and husband, David Long, created Caroline’s Cart after facing their own personal struggles of taking their special needs daughter Caroline with them to run everyday errands.
In a YouTube video about the organization, Drew Ann shared how the seemingly simple task of grocery shopping becomes a complex ordeal for her and her family.
“Everyone has to grocery shop. That’s something we all do several times a week and if you have a child with a disability that really does make the everyday trip to the store very difficult. Very burdensome.”
So far the idea is helping thousands have a more pleasurable experience while shopping.
Adam Standiford, whose family uses the cart, told Faithwire that, “when we first saw the cart we were shocked to see it.”
“We had heard of them but never thought we would see one in real life. The idea of the cart is simple, but (it) changes how you shop with someone with needs in many ways.”
“Instead of pushing our daughter around in a wheelchair and trying to push a cart, we can now shop (Target) stores without thinking of the logistics of getting it done.”
You know “many families don’t need to worry about how they will push their loved one around plus shop but we do as well as many other families worldwide.”
According to the dad, his daughter Savannah loves the cart. It also gives her a sense of security because she can sit facing towards her parents while they pick item at the store.
Other cart users took to Twitter to share the joys provided to them by this invention.
When you can finally hang out at @target with mama because @carolinescart has got your back. ?? #specialneeds #carolinescart pic.twitter.com/u7HGW4k2Mv
— Arionne Nettles (@arialyssa) January 7, 2017
At this time, Target and Kroger are both stores that offer Caroline’s cart for special needs children and the elderly.
Target’s Juan Galarraga, senior vice president of store operations said, “Target is always looking for new ways to make guests feel welcome in our stores and give them a more comfortable shopping experience. We’re always listening to both our guests and team members and making changes based their feedback.”
@carolinescart @Target Thanks for making our shopping a little easier this year. pic.twitter.com/rZy1RJKB9s
— Katie (@mama_katz) December 10, 2016
Thank you @carolinescart for letting me spend more than I meant to at @Target, just like everyone else! pic.twitter.com/UONiCAG8r0
— Julia Wilburn (@says_julia) December 9, 2016
Caroline’s cart has been available in all Target stores for the last year.
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