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I rode a roller coaster with my husband. I never thought that would happen. But, it did.

It was Space Mountain – at Walt Disney World in Orlando. My very strong brother-in-law helped me transfer Michael into the roller coaster car. I sat behind him, and held oh-so-tight to his shoulders.

I know he was scared. I can’t imagine being a quadriplegic on a roller coaster. But I love that he’s always up for adventures, and trying new things, together.

Our trip to Orlando was perfect. We drove from Virginia Beach in our wheelchair accessible van. The van was a gift and to say it’s been a blessing would be a huge understatement.

Last Summer, before we got the van, we drove from Northern Virginia to Arkansas, stopping in Nashville in between. Lifting my husband and his wheelchair in and out of my SUV got old, real quick. It’s hard to feel like you’re on a vacation when you’re weightlifting at every stop.

Lifting my husband and his wheelchair in and out of my SUV got old, real quick. It’s hard to feel like you’re on a vacation when you’re weightlifting at every stop.

But this trip, I got to feel like a wife. And it felt like we were a team – tackling the road trip together.We stopped at Savannah on the way down, and had a romantic date night. I even wore a dress. That is not optional when you have to do those transfers! On the way back, we stopped in Charleston. It was raining, so we just drove through downtown and around the waterfront, on our own drive-by tour.

In Orlando, getting to Disney World, and going outlet shopping were a breeze. Letting the ramp down, and tying my husband’s wheelchair in and buckling his seatbelt is a process we’ve mastered. Not to mention everything we can fit in the van and still travel easy! I don’t even have to break down his shower chair. I just roll it right in! We had no trouble fitting everything we needed for a week, and even stopped and did a mega grocery store run on the way home.

Sometimes, because we juggle a disability in our marriage, the fun and independence of being spontaneous escapes us. I think that’s one of those tensions that’s hard to put your finger on, you can feel it – but you just can’t explain what’s wrong.

But then, when I think about things like taking a trip on the open road – windows down, soaking up the sun, and listening to the mix CDs my husband made – I don’t feel so bogged down under the constant weight of my responsibilities.

When I think about riding that roller coaster, holding his shoulders, laughing at our picture in the gift shop afterward, all is right with the world.

We are young, we don’t have kids yet. We can have romantic date nights, and adventures, and we can meet our family four states away and have a good time.

And I don’t have to be a hot, sweaty mess. I can be a girl, in a dress.

Oh how sweet it is.

About Dana Brown Ritter

Dana Ritter and her husband Michael share their experiences in life and marriage through their blog, www.lovelikethislife.com. Dana is a television news producer and primary caregiver for her husband. They live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Submitted by: Dana / Ability Voice Blogger
Category: Wheelchair Vans
Published: May 16, 2013

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A trio of wheelchair marathoning athletes race 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks

The morning bird’s chirps are met by the thunder of the repetitive hitting of the push rims on the composite wheels , sweating bodies are silhouetted by the rising sun, and the marathon is underway. This is the weekly reality of three men pushing themselves for a greater purpose. Rain or shine, morning and night, there are but three constants: tires and concrete and determination.

Meet Paul Erway, a rehab products consultant at Superior Van and Mobility in Louisville, Ken., and marathon racer by weekend. Erway, with teammates Grant Berthiaume and Aaron Roux, are racing for those who cannot. The trio is racing in 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks during 2013 for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to raise money for spinal cord injury treatment and research. All three men share a bond in SCI (spinal cord injury).

Erway, in 1992, narrowly missed a place on the US Paralympic team. An athlete since high school, he thought his days in sports were coming to an end. His trainer, however, had different plans. After years of training, Erway made it to the 2004 Boston marathon, and even finished his last mile on a flat tire. Since that day, racing has had its fangs in his heart.

This led Erway to the 2004 Oita, Japan, marathon, a race consisting entirely of wheelchair-bound competitors. Erway was paired with Grant Berthiaume for a hotel space, and the two became quick friends. While still in Japan, the pair laid plans for a massive undertaking: race in 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks. A feat never before done by wheelchair racers. They quickly added a former Marine Corp. member Aaron Roux, and the 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks team was set.

The team’s racing year began on January 5^th in the Mississippi Blues Marathon.  All three men still work during the week, while racing and adding sponsors in their free time and weekends. The team depends on their sponsors for transportation to and from each race, as well as for lodging. BraunAbility wheelchair vans have become a favorite vehicle for the team, as they allow them to fir their not only their racing wheelchairs but their conventional ones inside all at once.

Their schedule is grueling to say the least. Some weekends have a marathon on both Saturday and Sunday, with travel time needed as well. One extreme situation the team faces arises on November 17^th of this year. The men will race in the Philadelphia and Las Vegas marathons on the very same day.

No matter how busy the men get, they always try to make stops at rehab centers and hospitals in the cities where they race. The team races for them, and wants to try and inspire people to reach out for their dreams, no matter what.

“The patients really profit, and we can really see that,” said Erway.

15 marathons in, the trio is still going strong. With every race, they grow more determined about their cause: being an example for the world.

“You just have to set an example, a person with disabilities can do anything they can think of,” said Erway. “You just have to have something to shoot for.”

Erway was present for the 2013 Boston marathon, and it was a race that he will never forget.

The wheelchair division of the Boston marathon began at 9:17 a.m., which is a full 45 minutes before the women’s section. The men’s section began 45 minutes after the women.

Erway finished his race in 2 hours and 32 minutes. This put him done around noon. Erway and crew stayed at a hotel 2 blocks away from the finish line. Immediately following the marathon, they went back to hotel to change. The team was due in Detroit that afternoon and flew out of Boston a short while after. The bombs went off while the plane was mid-air. Erway and crew heard the grim news upon landing.

“You do one of the world’s greatest races … and you don’t feel like you can even celebrate,” said Erway.

It was a moment that none of the men will ever forget. The following weekend in Salt Lake City, the men, along with numerous other runners, all wore Bothon Marathon clothing from various years to show their support.

Follow the team as they race on their website.

Micah Christensen is a freelance writer for BraunAbility and is enjoying telling the stories of our customers and writing to help them get the most out of their BraunAbility experience.

Submitted by: Micah / Ability Voice Blogger
Category: Customer Stories
Published: May 13, 2013

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The most exceptional men and women in the world of sports offer a unique blend of talent and courage that continues to inspire others long after they’re off the field or the court or the track.

Four of those exceptional individuals were honored recently at the 20th Anniversary Courage Awards. Sponsored each year by the Tempe Sports Authority Foundation, the event honors those who have demonstrated heroism and courage in the face of adversity as they overcame  physical challenges. One of those individuals, Sam Schmidt, has a special relationship with BraunAbility, but each of these heroes deserves a shout-out.

Sam Schmidt

Sam Schmidt was a successful Indy Car Driver who had won multiple national championships and was pursuing his dream of racing in the Indy 500 when he was injured critically in a crash in 1997. The accident left him a quadriplegic with no movement below the shoulders.

The accident took away his mobility – but not his drive to compete. He started Sam Schmidt Motorsports, and his teams have amassed over 50 victories and 6 championships. A second venture is even closer to his heart — the formation of the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, which exists to find a cure for paralysis and help those adjusting for a life with paralysis.

Jon Wilhite

A former Cal State Fullerton catcher, Jon was in a horrific car accident that killed three friends and left him severely injured. In fact, doctors discovered that the only things keeping his his head in place were skin, muscle and the rigid collar paramedics had placed on him at the scene. A surgical team of 30 experts spent hours placing a titanium plate to connect his neck and skull. His recovery was exceptional – he was able to rehab his way back to walking, speaking and swallowing on his own. Jon has made appearances on the baseball field for several ceremonial first pitches and was named a “Hero of Healing” by the UC Irvine Medical Center in 2012.

Cory Hahn

Another promising college baseball star, Cory Hahn was three games into his season at Arizona State University when he attempted to steal his first base in college. He dove into the second base and compressed his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from his mid-chest down. After months of rehab, Cory has developed bicep, shoulder and wrist function. He is navigating a college campus of about 60,000 students and is majoring in business. Cory has even learned to drive a BraunAbility Rampvan and has not missed a step academically. He’s still working out and building strength, getting closer and closer to the day he may take a step again.

Colonel Greg Gadson

A standout football star at West Point and a decorated colonel in the army, Colonel Gadson commanded the 2nd battalion, 32 field artillery in Iraq. In 2007 an IED attack resulted in the loss of both legs and normal use of his right arm and hand. He is still on active duty, and continues to inspire across the country — including a talk with a struggling NY Giants team at the request of Head Coach Tom Coughlin. Coughlin recognized his ability to speak on the critical need for teamwork and camaraderie, and his inspirational spirit was almost tangible. The team named him Honorary Co-Captatin at the NFC Championship game.

Gadson has served in every major conflict of the past two decades and has been awarded multiple distinctions, including the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal. He holds two Masters Degrees and an honorary Doctorate of Law. He is the first bilateral amputee to command an Army Installation – Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

Our sincerest congratulations to these fine men for the much-deserved honor.

Submitted by: Megan / Ability Voice Blogger
Category: Learn More About BraunAbility
Published: Apr 18, 2013

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Two months after his passing, our founder and CEO, Ralph Braun, was honored posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the da Vinci Awards during a ceremony in Detroit, Michigan last week. The international award organization recognizes the latest developments and research in adaptive and assistive technologies, and benefits the  National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society’s Michigan Chapter.

“Ralph Braun has left a permanent legacy in the mobility community and is regarded as a true pioneer of an industry that has brought freedom to hundreds of thousands of individuals across the world,” stated a release published by the da Vinci Awards.

Ralph’s daughters – Cherie Braun Diaz and Melissa Braun Dennis – were on hand to accept the award during the ceremony, which was held at the Ford Conference and Event Center in Dearborn.

Several other award recipients were honored for their contributions to individuals with disabilities, including Jeremy Campbell, Team US Gold Medalist at the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Campbell was honored with a special 2013 Spirit of da Vinci Award in recognition of his accomplishments and ongoing advocacy for those with disabilities.

For the year prior to the awards, nominations were accepted from across the country and around the world for innovations in five disability-related fields: Communication/Educational Aids; Environmental Adaptation/Daily Living or Work Aids; Prosthetics/Orthotics/Controls; Recreation and Leisure; Transportation and Mobility. For complete information on the winners in each of these fields, click here.

Proceeds from the awards benefit the National MS Society’s Michigan Chapter. Michigan has one of the highest incident rates of MS in the U.S., with more than 18,000 residents living with multiple sclerosis.

Submitted by: Megan / Ability Voice Blogger
Category: Learn More About BraunAbility
Published: Apr 16, 2013

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It’s one thing to preach in marketing materials about the safety and reliability of a wheelchair van — it’s quite another thing to prove it.

Reliability of a Wheelchair Van

Stevie Barker of Kentucky had the opportunity to prove both earlier this spring. Late on the morning of Feb. 19th, Barker accidentally ran a red light and was hit immediately on the driver-side door by an oncoming car. Thankfully the 22-year-old army veteran was unharmed, but his Braun Entervan was totaled.

Stevie assessed the damage as well as he could from the driver’s position in his wheelchair. His side airbag had deployed, and he could see the hood of his van crunched accordion-style agains his windshield. He needed to get out to assess the rest of the damage but had little confidence that his van’s ramp would be functional. Stevie hit the button to deploy the ramp and was shocked to hear the door open and the ramp lower to the ground, just like any other cycle.

“I went to exit the vehicle and the ramp came down perfectly fine,” stated Barker. “It was unbelievable.”

Barker called 911 and the van, which was not drivable, was towed safely away. Even the rescuers were amazed that the wheelchair ramp was still functional and that the driver had been protected, even in a driver-side collision. Thankfully no one was seriously injured in the other cars either.

Don’t Try This At Home

BraunAbility does NOT recommend testing out the reliability of our vehicles to the extent Stevie has, but hopefully his experience helps assure you that if you’re behind the wheel of a BraunAbility accessible vehicle, you’re in a van that’s built to last.

“That thing (the van) was a beast,” stated Barker. “I won that fight.”

Thanks to Superior Van and Mobility and Stevie for sharing this memorable story!

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Micah Christensen is a freelance writer for BraunAbility and is enjoying telling the stories of our customers and writing to help them get the most out of their BraunAbility experience.

Submitted by: Micah / Ability Voice Blogger
Category: Customer Stories
Published: Apr 10, 2013

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Mobility vehicle are fantastic pieces of machinery, and have numerous advantages for people seeking full independence after an injury. However, some people simply may not want one. The reason may be numerous things: cost, attachment to the usual vehicle, or maybe it is a stylistic choice. No matter what the reason may be, it all boils down to one simple matter: personal health. Maybe you are experiencing more pain, fatigue, or just cannot continue to maneuver the hassles of loading a wheelchair into a vehicle any longer.

This is a decision faced by everyone with a disability. Here are some important things to remember as you are making that choice.

Personal Image

A vehicle can be a representation of a person’s personality and identity. A mobility vehicle can be a hard step to take if you do not see yourself in one. It also may be seen as a sign of giving up or losing independence. The reality of that is, getting to where you are going is more important than how you get there. Independence is truly maintained as long as you hold your freedom to go where you want to.

Pain and Fatigue

Many rehabilitation specialists encourage the switch from a car to a wheelchair accessible vehicle in order to maintain and preserve physical function. Pain and fatigue are often results of both the distance and height of a transfer, and over time it can take a serious toll. The neck, shoulders, arms and wrists usually bear the brunt of this pain, and therapists often end up treating patients for injuries that could have been prevented if he or she was in a wheelchair van more suitable for his or her condition.  This possible pain and fatigue may not be limited to yourself. If an individual is dependent on a spouse, child, or caregiver to use their vehicle, that wear and tear may affect them over time. It may be the best way to care for the caregiver in return.

Cost

There’s no denying that making the switch to a wheelchair accessible van can come with a cost. Still, long-term wheelchair users would rather spend money on an accessible van than pay the more expensive price of lost quality of life. Many customers find financial help from outside sources, whether Vocational Rehabilitation, the VA, Medicaid Waivers, etc. Charitable organizations are possibilities, and many customers have tremendous luck with local fundraising efforts. Your BraunAbility dealer will have a selection of used mobility products as well.

The question to ask yourself now is not where you are currently, but where you will be in five years. Will I still be able to do this in five years? What tolls might it take in that time? Will my pain increase? Mobility equipment helps narrow the gap between how things are and how things could be. More often than not, the decision to switch from a car to a van is one of many decisions that contribute to the lifelong process of adaptation from disability.

Micah Christensen is a freelance writer for BraunAbility and is enjoying telling the stories of our customers and writing to help them get the most out of their BraunAbility experience.

Submitted by: Micah / Ability Voice Blogger
Category: Wheelchair Vans
Published: Mar 01, 2013

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Finding a source to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle was a daunting task in the past. A place that had mobility vehicles, wheelchair ramps, and any other accessory was a rare sight indeed. This is something that has been left in the past, however; as the advent of the internet and the growth of the market have made it a problem no more. A new choice now has arisen, is it better to buy from a dealer in person, or should I buy online? With the gap between the two closing, it can be a difficult choice. BraunAbility is here to help by explaining some of the options available between buying at the mobility dealership and buying online.

Maintenance

Maintenance is an inevitability with any vehicle, and the specialized parts of any wheelchair-accessible vehicles can make finding a location for service and repairs difficult. This is not an issue with our BraunAbility dealers. All of our dealers have received specialized training in repairing and servicing wheelchair-accessible vehicles, wheelchair ramps and lifts, and any other accessory, no matter the model. A relationship with a mobility dealer can be the first step to maintaining a properly functioning vehicle.

A wheelchair-accessible vehicle is a specialty vehicle and is not like the neighbor’s sedan. Purchasing online can make finding a repair and maintenance location a less straightforward process. A purchase from a dealer is a promise for maintenance at the same location.

No two people or wheelchairs are the same, and with that no two vehicles are the same. With the hundreds of options available for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, they can be made to fit any variety of needs. How do I know what options I want, what height I need my vehicle to be, or what preferences I have? Online shopping limits the buyer to taking the word of the seller at face value, but at the dealership, all of these options can be tried out firsthand. It is important that an investment as big as a mobility vehicle is perfect for you, so it is a good idea to try out what fits your style best.

Your BraunAbility dealer will also work closely with you to help determine how you can qualify for the maximum amount of available manufacturer rebates as well as state & federal tax deductions. Both are excellent ways to save money, but the rules & requirements can be difficult to navigate if you don’t have experience applying for them. Our dealers have helped many customers receive these incentives, and they know exactly which steps you need to take to ensure the best chance of receiving them as well. That level of service is hard to match online.

The internet is a fantastic research tool and can help you decide what vehicle is perfect for you, but no one vehicle is a one-size-fits-all match. It is important to visit the dealer and try a mobility vehicle or ramp out personally to make sure it is the perfect one for you. It is your life, your money, and you should get a vehicle that comes with great service, guaranteed maintenance, and fits like a glove.

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Micah Christensen is a freelance writer for BraunAbility and is enjoying telling the stories of our customers and writing to help them get the most out of their BraunAbility experience.

Submitted by: Micah / Ability Voice Blogger
Category: Learn More About BraunAbility
Published: Mar 01, 2013

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BraunAbility Introduces New Quiet Drive Technology 

BraunAbility is excited to announce today a “quiet” technology that will become a standard improvement on all new BraunAbility wheelchair vans!

It's called 'Quiet Drive', and it's an exclusive feature to new BraunAbility vehicles, reducing noise and vibration in lowered-floor accessible vehicles by up to 25%, resulting in a more comfortable mobility experience.

BraunAbility engineers have spent the past two years researching acoustic improvements and refining solutions at the advanced engineering facilities of Chrysler and Ford. Using noise-blocking seals and high-performance noise-absorbing materials, the new technology stops sound before it enters the cabin. The improvements will now be standard on all new BraunAbility conversions on the Chrysler, Dodge, Honda and Toyota accessible minivans.

Retail customers can test drive a BraunAbility accessible vehicle with the Quiet Drive technology at one of the over 200 BraunAbility dealers across the country. For more info (and a laugh) check out our Quiet Drive YouTube video. 

Submitted by: Megan / Ability Voice Blogger
Category: Wheelchair Vans
Published: Feb 19, 2013

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Ralph William Braun, our founder and CEO, passed away Friday, February 8^th in Winamac, Indiana. He was 72 years old.

Ralph leaves behind a significant legacy in the mobility industry – an industry that he helped create based on his personal need for mobility products.

In 1947, Ralph was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at just six years of age. Ralph credits his parents with instilling in him the will to overcome the challenges his disability presented him – as well as any other obstacles life put in his path. When he could no longer rely on his own two legs and he’d outgrown piggyback rides from his dad, he began using a wheelchair. While he didn’t welcome the mobility aid, the 13-year-old never let it slow him down. Ralph wanted an education, a career and a family, just like anyone else; he just had to work a little harder at it.

The first mobility product he engineered was a motorized scooter, which he called the Tri-Wheeler. The scooter allowed him to conserve energy and keep his job as a Quality Control Inspector at a nearby factory. As his mobility increased, so did the attention from the disabled community. What started as a part-time business filling orders for Tri-Wheelers from his parents’ garage evolved into Save-A-Step Manufacturing.

When the factory where Ralph worked moved a few miles from his home, he outfitted an old postal Jeep with hand controls and a hydraulic lift so he could have reliable transportation to and from work no matter the weather. Just a few years later when Dodge introduced the first full-sized, front-engine van, he devised a way to install a wheelchair lift that would revolutionize the mobility industry. For the first time, individuals with disabilities had a way to travel on the road from their wheelchairs.

The Braun Corporation was incorporated in 1972, and for much of the remainder of that decade and the next, Braun’s product line was built on the wheelchair lift. Not only did this product revolutionize consumer mobility, but it forever changed public transportation as well. Finally buses and vans could be outfitted with wheelchair lifts to allow universal public transportation from city and state governments. Most importantly, children across the country were offered accessible transportation to and from school – a benefit that didn’t seem possible when Ralph was a young man encountering multiple roadblocks to his own public education. The commercial lift industry, as well as the paratransit business, continues to thrive in the domestic and international markets.

By the time the lowered floor minivan was introduced in the late 1980s, Americans were experiencing a level of mobility that had never before existed. Other manufacturers offered mobility products, but what set The Braun Corporation apart was Ralph’s focus on providing mobility solutions to meet the individual needs of each customer.  He created a network of dealers across the country to evaluate an individual’s needs and circumstances to find the best mobility option for him or her. Today the company offers wheelchair accessible conversions on the Dodge/Chrysler, Toyota, and Honda minivans, as well as multiple lift platforms and additional mobility products to fit the needs of customers with every need and level of disability.

The Braun Corporation marked its 40th anniversary in 2012. Throughout the company’s existence, Ralph kept his headquarters based in his hometown of Winamac, Indiana (population 2500). Nearly 850 individuals are employed by the company.

Braun has been recognized for his work in the industry, including the “Champion of Change” honor by the White House in 2012 for his dedication to improving the lives of individuals with physical disabilities. He was inducted into the NMEDA Hall of Fame in 2012 and was recognized as Employer of the Year by the Commission for the Handicapped and the Indiana State Board of Health. Just a week before his passing, Ralph was also honored with the Support of the Guard and Reserves Patriot Award for his support of his employees who serve in the military.

Ralph has left a permanent legacy in the mobility community and will be remembered as a true pioneer of accessibility. He wrote his autobiography, Rise Above, to tell the story of the challenges he faced as a young man – not only from his health, but from the limitations society placed on individuals with disabilities as well. In the book he announced the formation of The Ralph Braun Foundation, which would help those with limited income afford the mobility equipment they need.

Ralph Braun is regarded as a true pioneer of an industry that has brought freedom to hundreds of thousands of individuals across the world. The Braun legacy of quality and dedication will continue in the name of its pioneering father.

 

 

 

Submitted by: Megan / Ability Voice Blogger
Category: Uncategorized
Published: Feb 12, 2013

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He’s always shown a very deep appreciation for our nation’s veterans, and this year Ralph Braun, CEO of BraunAbility, was recognized for that support with the Employee Support of the Guard and Reserves Patriot Award. The honor is given to employers who show dedicated support and flexibility to employees serving in the military.

Ralph was nominated by a six-year employee, Sergeant Don Perkins, who appreciated the time he and many other employees had been granted in order to fulfill their military duties while employed at the company.

“Going onto and back from military orders has always been easy for me,” said Sgt. Perkins regarding his employer. “I come back to work with no speed bumps to deal with, and it’s a smooth transition.”

In appreciation of Braun’s support, Perkins has taken a BraunAbility flag with him on each of his deployments. The flag hung in his room at Grissom Aeroplex, at Fort Dix and is with him now as he is stationed in Djibouti, Africa.

That gesture means a lot to a CEO who credits Vietnam veterans with helping to build the corporation he started 40 years ago.  â€śThe honor truly goes to the men and women on the front lines – it is so important that we do what it takes to make sure those who are willing to serve on the front lines have the support of the rest of us back home.”

Submitted by: Megan / Ability Voice Blogger
Category: Uncategorized
Published: Feb 05, 2013