AbilityVoice: A New Blog About Mobility Topics
Posted by Jack on Sunday, October 26th, 2008Why a blog? I know, I know … it seems like everyone is blogging these days – it’s estimated that well over 100,000 are launched each day. So why do we need another one? A fair question that deserves an answer!
At BraunAbility, we receive a lot of phone calls, letters and emails from around the country and around the world every day. Some of these are related to service issues, but many people also write to offer suggestions, call to ask questions, or even send us photos and stories of how our wheelchair vans, handicap lifts and mobility aids have changed their lives.
Along with this, there are a lot of things happening around here, and frankly, it’s difficult for us to keep tabs on it all! Design enhancements, improvements in the manufacturing process, new product announcements … there’s a lot going on that our customers would be interested in, but there really isn’t a place for it all on our main website.
So we thought it would be a good idea to create a place to bring all of this together – a place where you can interact directly with BraunAbility employees to solve problems, offer ideas, and discuss any and all issues related to your personal ability. Here, you’ll find in-depth articles about our products written by experienced engineers, service technicians and production staff. You’ll also find stories about our customers, and a great deal of history about Ralph Braun and how he started the company. We hope you’ll find many topics of interest that will give you a greater understanding of BraunAbility and the people who work here.
Above all, we want to hear what’s on your mind. What are your needs? Do you have any problems, concerns or suggestions? This blog will be useful only if it contains information relevant to its audience, so please help us make AbilityVoice your voice by joining the discussion.
So, why a blog? I guess the real answer is … you! Please let us know what you think by commenting on this or any article on AbilityVoice!
January 5th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I am attempting to locate the problem on a 2007 Dodge Caravan Entervan equipped with a kneeling system, passenger and driver E-Z locks, zero effort steering, and hand controls. The vehicle has 18k miles on it.
The side door retracts and the lift deploys without incident every time.
However; when the command is sent to stow the lift, and close the door all that happens is that I get a click from the area (inside the jack storage compartment) where the command module is located.
The only work around that I have found is shutting off the engine (whether it was running or not at the time of incident), and then restarting the engine. At this point the lift lifts, the door closes and is secured in place.
This happens whether the kneeling system is engaged or disengaged, whether on flat land, or on an incline, hot days, or cold days, clear weather, or liquid sunshine. In other words, it is consistent.
What in the logic would allow for this set of circumstances?
January 6th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Hello Dave,
Thank you for your post.
Without more information it is difficult to say with any degree of certainty that the problem you are having is something that we have encountered in the past. It may be something completely new. We have encountered similar problems in the past. A board upgrade might solve the problem although it is just as possible that some other solution may be needed. I suggest taking the vehicle to one of our dealers. If they are unable to determine the source of the problem and effect a cure, please ask them to contact our Product Support Department.
The name of the nearest Braun dealer can be obtain from our web site at http://www.braunability.com or by calling 1-800 The Lift. If you prefer, email me your zip code and I would be happy to look up the nearest dealer for you. If you encounter any problem along the way, please feel free to contact me directly. I certainly do not know all the answers but I am happy to help find the correct answer
Sincerely,
Burnie B Blackmon, Jr.
Director, Special Vehicle Sales
Voice: 574-946-4139 x 3275
Fax: 574-946-3143
email: burnie.blackmon@braunlift.com
February 20th, 2009 at 12:33 am
Can someone please help me? I am at my wits end. I have a 16 year old son who has spastic quadrapelegia cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Day by day as he grows, my husband and I are less able to take him out into the community because we do not have a van. Often he spends Friday afternoon until Monday in the house until he can be picked up by his school bus and go back out “into the world”. I have tried to get financed for a van to no avail and was just forced to take a 10% pay cut in this unstable economy. My son is a bright, creative and expressive child but I can already see that I have stifled his independence and abilities by not being able to provide him the necessary means of transportation. Any information you can give will be appreciated.
February 20th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Hello D. Tinnon.
Thank you for your post.
Your blog has inspired me to put together a post to the AbilityVoice about fund raising for an individual, something I have been intending for some time. There are a few public funding sources, but not many, if any, that your son would qualify for. The best alternative is a private fund raising. I will try to get something put together for post early next week. I will send you a link to the post once I get it together.
Sincerely,
Burnie Blackmon