World Record Holder Drives a BraunAbility Wheelchair Van

CUSTOMER STORY

World Record Holder Drives a BraunAbility Wheelchair Van

“I was driving back home from college, and I fell asleep at the wheel. I wasn't wearing my seat belt and was in a single person car accident. The doctor said I would never be able to walk again.”

A world record holder and founder of the nonprofit, I Got Legs, Adam Gorlitsky, drives a BraunAbility Dodge Grand Caravan. Although, he didn’t always see himself driving a wheelchair accessible vehicle, Gorlitsky has spent most of his life as a wheelchair user. When traveling short distances, he relies on his wheelchair, but for longer trips, he uses his BraunAbility wheelchair van.

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We don't have to worry about if someone’s car is fully accessible or not. It makes planning [trips and traveling] a lot easier.

Adam Gorlitsky, from South Carolina

[An accessible vehicle] is gonna save you a lot of physical stress... and mental and psychological stress too. As soon as I got my van, all that anxiety and physical strain went away.

Adam Gorlitsky, from South Carolina

Becoming a Paraplegic

Injured at age 19, Gorlitsky was involved in a car accident. He described the accident, saying, "I was driving back home from college, and I fell asleep at the wheel. I wasn't wearing my seat belt and was in a single person car accident. The doctor said I would never be able to walk again."

How Accessible Vehicles and Assistive Technology Help People with Disabilities

A T9 paraplegic, Gorlitsky is paralyzed from the belly button down. He described the mobility challenges he faces as being environmental—a lack of accessible doors, wheelchair ramps, and uneven surfaces that are difficult to navigate in his wheelchair.

Adam said, "I live in a place in South Carolina that has a lot of hills. So being in a wheelchair isn't exactly ideal," but having used a wheelchair for nearly a decade, Gorlitsky has realized relying on technology like his power-assisted wheelchair wheels and his BraunAbility van allow him to get anywhere "without any trouble."

"This vehicle and technology help take away the burden [of] having to plan around my injury. Also, it makes traveling with friends and family a lot easier," he said.

He continued, "We don't have to worry about if someone’s car is fully accessible or not. It makes planning [trips and traveling] a lot easier."

Benefits of a Wheelchair Accessible Van

Gorlitsky emphasized that his vehicle has had a significant positive impact on both his mental and physical wellbeing. He described life before owning a wheelchair accessible vehicle, saying, "I was driving a vehicle that did not have a wheelchair ramp in it. It was just a standard vehicle. I remember I was getting very busy at the time, and I was always having to get in and out of my car. There would be days where I would transfer in and out of my car ten times and taking apart my wheelchair over and over again just wasn't practical."

Not only was getting his wheelchair in and out of his car physically demanding, but Gorlitsky says it was mentally demanding too, stating he frequently faced anxiety due to the mental strain of planning his travel around his disability.

He said, "When I got into a vehicle that had a ramp, all that anxiety faded away." He emphasized having a wheelchair accessible vehicle has felt "very empowering."

The BraunAbility Dodge Grand Caravan

Gorlitsky’s first accessible vehicle was a BraunAbility Ford MXV. While you won’t find this vehicle at a BraunAbility dealer today, you can find a similar accessible SUV—the Chevy Traverse.

Needing more space inside his vehicle Gorlitsky transitioned to an accessible van, saying, "I needed a little extra room on the inside, so I got myself an adapted minivan, and I like how much room it has."

Aside from the vehicle’s spacious interior, Gorlitsky also enjoys the powered side-entry ramp, which allows him to enter and exit the vehicle with ease.

Daily, Gorlitsky uses his vehicle to run errands and take short road trips. A South Carolina native, he’ll drive about three hours to his hometown whenever he gets the chance.

He said, "If there's one place I love traveling to, it’s back home to Charleston."

Gorlitsky wants those considering a wheelchair accessible vehicle to know, "[An accessible vehicle] is gonna save you a lot of physical stress... and mental and psychological stress too. As soon as I got my van, all that anxiety and physical strain went away."

The Dodge Grand Caravan and Ford MXV are no longer manufactured by BraunAbility. Visit your local BraunAbility dealer to find our current lineup of accessible vans and SUVs.

This vehicle and technology help take away the burden [of] having to plan around my injury. Also, it makes traveling with friends and family a lot easier.

- Adam Gorlitsky

Empowering People with Paralysis through Exoskeletons

When he’s not driving, you’ll find Adam proudly serving as the founder of I Got Legs, a nonprofit organization working to provide exoskeletons to people who are paralyzed.

Gorlitsky said, "We help others like me gain access to exoskeletons that allow us to stand up and walk."

Gorlitsky has been using an exoskeleton for nine years, walking roughly 75 road races with the mobility device. In fact, his exoskeleton is the reason behind his two Guinness World Records—one for a half marathon and the other for a full marathon, both of which he walked using his exoskeleton. Gorlitsky’s eventual goal is to see exoskeleton racing become both a collegiate and Paralympic sport You can learn more about Gorlitsky and his organization at the I Got Legs website.

Gorlitsky is supported by BraunAbility, and his local mobility dealer, Ilderton Conversions in Charleston, South Carolina. When you purchase a BraunAbility mobility product, you join a powerful community.

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