Sick kid gets an education via robot

WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Call it trailblazing, that's what the West Seneca School District is doing for a really sick kid that can't attend school.

After Devin Carrow's mom, Rene, advocated for him, the school district went to work and latched on to a cutting edge technology.

Enter VGo. According to Kristin Myers, West Seneca Special Education Director, "I started digging around and searched the Internet for different ways that we could accommodate Devin's needs in school. We really wanted him to be part of the West Seneca community and have the experience of going to school."

Up until now, the VGo was mainly used in the business sector. But now, it has found a home at Winchester Elementary.

"The VGo device itself connects to our network, like I mentioned. Devin at home, connects through a district supplied lap to with a camera," explained Stephen Yi, Network Coordinator for the West Seneca School District.

"He has to do every single thing that every child does in that classroom. He has to participate, he has to take tests, he has to do their homework," said Rene Carrow.

Not only is the VGo making Devin's education possible, it's also providing for social interaction.

Dawn Volker is his in-class teacher. She says, "They treat him just like anyone else. They have conversations with him during recess. They talk about jokes; they talk about snacks and food."

In some respects, it has even influenced his classmates at school.

"It makes them more aware of the differences in the world and that people are different, but what really matters is what's on the inside," Voelker said.

The VGo may be great, but there's one last part of the puzzle that makes this all possible for Devin: his big brother.

Dillon Carrow said, "In the morning, when I'm done packing my stuff, I take his stuff and I go to his teacher."

Rene says that she's not after publicity, but she really wants parents to know that they really need to advocate for their sick children with their prospective school districts.