The Reininger family is supported by BraunAbility and their dealer, MobilityWorks, in Rancho Cordova, California. When you purchase a mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.
Austin Reininger is your typical 8-year-old boy in many ways. He's a fan of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Back to the Future, but his childhood has been different – and in many ways more difficult – than most. Diagnosed with Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome (AGS), a type of leukodystrophy resulting in neurological and physical impairment, Austin’s condition affects his mobility below the waist. He relies on his power wheelchair and the family’s accessible van, a BraunAbility Toyota Sienna Hybrid Van, to get around.
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Life Before a Wheelchair Van
At first, the Reininger’s were hesitant to go through the process of purchasing a wheelchair accessible van. In fact, Austin’s father, Adam, said, “Our lives are super stressful with our child. All the medical issues, [being] in and out of hospitals, the day to day is very difficult. Dealing with a vehicle and a car company seemed like a lot of extra stress that I really didn't want to have to deal with, but BraunAbility made it so easy that I have nothing but the best things to say about the company.”
The family previously drove a Honda Odyssey, which was not wheelchair accessible – an experience Reininger described as “limited”. He said before a wheelchair accessible vehicle, “[We were] limited in where we could go, what we could do. Physically, it was taxing on our bodies to get him in and out of the vehicle. We thought things through a bit more in terms of, ‘Do we really need to go there?’ or ‘Do we really want to load everybody up?’
Wheelchair Vans for Caregivers and Companions
Having a wheelchair van has not only changed Austin’s life, but the lives of his family members, who, for years, lifted him and his wheelchair into their van each time they went out. Reininger said, “Lifting him every time in and out of a chair and lifting the manual chair into the back of a vehicle was really strenuous on our backs. We were constantly in pain and going to chiropractors. Overall, my health is much better because of [the wheelchair van]. He continued, “For a parent, and a caregiver, it totally changes my world and my life too because now I don't have to struggle.”
The BraunAbility Toyota Sienna Hybrid Wheelchair Van
The integration of the BraunAbility conversion into the Toyota Sienna Hybrid was life changing for the Reininger family. Adam said, “When you get into the Sienna, it feels like it came right from Toyota. It feels like that's how the car was supposed to be built. Everything inside is exactly where it's supposed to be. It just felt like the right vehicle.” What first caught Reininger’s attention was the vehicle’s smooth ride and its foldout ramp, but what’s more important to the family was the newfound independence it would bring their son. Adam said the van is incredibly important in helping his son thrive.
“One of the best parts about our BraunAbility vehicle is that when we pull up at the school now and drop the ramp, he drives right out and lines up with all the other kids.” He continued, “Once you get to his age, he doesn't want to have to depend on someone else to move him around all day. The independence is really important for his psyche.”
Not only has Austin been able to drive his wheelchair into school every day, but he’s also enjoyed being able to spend time with family and friends. He recently celebrated a birthday with a friend and went to the zoo with his grandparents.
Reininger said, “For [Austin’s grandparents], they can't lift him in and out of a vehicle. They'd be stuck in our house if my wife and I went out of town.” When Austin’s grandparents came to visit, they were able to spend a day at the zoo with their grandson because the van, “allows other people and us the freedom to go and do basically anything we want to do.”
Wheelchair Vans Change Lives
Today, Austin and the Reininger family are frequently using their vehicle to go back and forth to school and Austin’s medical appointments plus much appreciated social interaction. Austin’s favorite place to visit is the movie theater. Reininger said, “This vehicle gives us the ability to go and do things, that's one less thing that we have to worry about, and it's one less thing that [our son] has to consider in terms of what he can and can't do in this world.”
Adam’s advice to those looking into purchasing a wheelchair accessible vehicle is simple: “Without a doubt, I would highly recommend any BraunAbility vehicle, especially the one we got; I wouldn't hesitate. I wouldn't look elsewhere. I wouldn't even compare. I would just go in and start the process.”
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