Being confined to a wheelchair does not diminish a person's wanderlust or the need to get around performing day-to-day tasks. Listen to what Scott Fenton, CEO of Fenton Mobility Products, has to say!
"There are so many opportunities for physically-challenged people today because of the development of a wide array of mobility products. These products serve a wide range of people with physical challenges, from paraplegics to the semi-ambulatory."
Scott provides an overview of what is products are available for adapting a vehicle to suit a person's own personal needs.
"The type of mobility product needed depends on the type of physical impairment you have. For instance, if you're in a wheelchair due to paralysis, we suggest that you have a van outfitted with the mobility package. Why a van? Because vans have more room to work with and are easier to adapt. The van can be equipped with hand controls (which take the place of foot controls for driving), an anchoring system to hold the wheel chair securely to the floor while driving, and a wheelchair lift, to lift the chair (with you in it) into the van."
Let's say that you're not in a wheelchair, but have some difficulty walking. What's available for an individual that fits this description?
"The best choice for the semi-ambulatory individual is the scooter. You might have seen scooters being used in supermarkets or in shopping malls. They are simply small vehicles designed to operate indoors or outdoors and in close quarters. This is a great form of mobility for the semi-ambulatory individual. The scooters have to be transported and thus require a means of transport. You can equip your vehicle to carry the scooter wherever you want to go. Combination wheelchair/scooter lifts make this possible. You can get these lifts with fully or semi-automatic functions."
In addition, there are many other modifications that can be done to cars, full-size vans, minivans, and pickup trucks. These include:
Finally, modifications can be done to vehicles allowing easy access for wheelchairs. These include:
Raising the doors and roofs of a van for ease of entry in a wheelchair
Installation of floor anchoring systems to secure the wheelchair while driving
Dropping of the floor of the van allowing easy access
Installation of a hide-away ramp system under the van's floor
Mobility companies such as Braun offers such products as the "Chair Topper. " This is a wheelchair carrier that mounts on top of your car, allowing transportation of your wheelchair. The carrier has a lift built into it, allowing you to hoist the chair onto it easily for transporting. The Braun Company also offers the "Entervan." This is a completely rebuilt Chrysler minivan designed specifically for physically-challenged people -- lowered floors, anchoring systems, ramps, hand controls -- virtually anything that's needed can be incorporated into the building of one of these beauties.
Maybe you are thinking, "That's all good and well, Tom, but we're talking big money here, and I just don't have it!" You would be amazed at the resources available! For instance, if you need a loan for this type of equipment, a "Recreational Vehicle Loan" for an extended length of time (up to ten years) is available. Also, cash back "Auto Mobility Rebates" from the "Big Three" carmakers (GM, Chrysler, and Ford) are available. These companies provide up to $1000 in rebates for the installation of mobility products for the physically challenged. Want to work or go to school? Contact your local Resource Center regarding VESID money available (Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities).
If you have any questions regarding the installation or financing of mobility products, contact a local expert in this area, Scott Fenton at 716-484-7014 or 1-800-500-6181. Scott can answer all your questions.
Til next time--keep rollin'
