Almost a decade Previously, my middle son had multiple birth defects. I obviously had a lot of concerns at the time, but one of my biggest concerns was how we were going to manage the accessibility challenges as he grew up.
For the first few years, my son was able to walk well in car seats and strollers. But when he was 3 years old, we understood the importance of ordering his first wheelchair. He has cerebral palsy and the children’s wheelchair comes with customization options to contour and align his body for good growth.
I initially tried lifting his seat into the back of my SUV. That lasted about a week before my back started hurting, so I had to look at other options. I can’t go to a brick-and-mortar auto dealer: They don’t offer usable van packages, and most aren’t familiar with the usable options or features. I had to go to a mobile dealer instead. I met Nicole Bryson, owner of FTMobility, a vehicle customization shop in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, that specializes in modifying trucks for passengers and drivers with disabilities.
Mobile shops modify vans and some SUVs to allow passengers to move in their wheelchairs by installing a ramp on the side of the van or at the rear. The truck into the rear can be modified with a long cut or a short cut. A long ramp allows wheelchair access between the captain’s seats in the second row, and a short ramp holds the wheelchair in the back of the seat. I knew I wanted a ramp with a rear entrance. My three kids are roughly the same age, and that’s the only way they can sit next to each other – which I prefer for the middle son’s social and emotional development. I also want my son to stay close to the driver or front passenger in case he needs assistance while we’re on the road.
Also, a side truck can be difficult to park. Most parking lots only have a designated number of curbside entry points (those marked with a blue line with enough room for a ramp). If those points are taken away, I have to go around until one opens. (And I can’t leave my little son and afterward Parking.)
After researching all of our options, I purchased a Toyota Sienna minivan modified by BraunAbility with a ramp in the back. I opted for an automatic ramp, so when I press the trunk open button on the keypad, the lift gates open and the ramp automatically lowers — a feature I love when navigating a parking lot. crowded parking with three kids.
For an additional fee, I installed FTMobility a EZ . locking system. This nifty add-on allows me to get my son’s wheelchair right into the truck instead of tying it up in four separate positions every time I take him in and out.
I have been driving this modified van for over four years now. I love the freedom it gives our family. In addition to easily putting three children in the car, the space behind the wheelchair is also very convenient. When it’s just the five of us, I can use that space for storage. I rolled a wagon right into the truck after a trip to the grocery store. (This is especially helpful after running Costco.) Or we load the truck with a beach cart that’s already set up and ready to go – no need to reassemble when we arrive. We can also transport smaller items or two to three kids bikes. When we need room for more passengers, we have a jump seat in the back that folds down to accommodate two more people.
Money and maintenance issues
Vans have made our lives much easier, but still have some downsides. The cost to modify a van is $10,000 to $30,000, and more than the original price of the vehicle. We were fortunate to have a state program with funding available to help us, but it is not an easy path and those resources are not available to everyone.
Mobility companies, like BraunAbility, modify trucks already manufactured for retail. They moved components around, like the exhaust, fuel tank, and air conditioner, to install the ramp. The second row captain seats that came with our original vehicle have been removed and replaced with smaller seats to make room for a wheelchair.
