Grandpa Tim and the kids.

A couple months ago my parents asked if I’d be interested in driving down with them in their Entervan to Orlando, Florida to visit family. Since my dad isn’t able to drive, my mom was hoping to recruit another driver to help split up the 18-hour (one-way) trip.

It took a little convincing, but in the end they persuaded me to come along and bring my oldest two children, Kolbey (5) and Kelsey (3), with me. It’s not that I didn’t want to travel with my parents (and I was more than ready to escape the Indiana winter for a while); I just wasn’t sure if my parents could make it through an 18-hour, claustrophobic road trip with two preschoolers.

Grandpa Tim, aka The Pack Mule

Well, I’m happy to say, all five of us survived. Not only did we come back with some very sweet and fun memories, but best of all, my parents got to share them with us. One thing I’m incredibly grateful for during my late childhood is that, despite my dad’s life-altering spinal cord injury, we were still able to take the iconic family road trip at least once a year. And whether it was a trip to Yellowstone or just across the state line to Michigan, we were all ready to kill each other by the time we got home, just like my friends and their families. Thanks to our wheelchair accessible van, we never missed out on that all-American experience!

Our road trip to Orlando went even better than I’d hoped, despite the endless stream of questions and potty breaks. I guess anything’s possible with enough Curious George DVDs, coloring books and Goldfish crackers. We got to visit family, the kids fed sharks and seals at Sea World, and they made their maiden voyage to Disney World. A week later, they’re still talking about the trip to anyone who will listen, and I think my parents are too.

Kolbey and Kelsey, ready for home.

There’s nothing like a family road-trip to bring you closer together. It’s memories like these that make me realize what a true blessing mobility has been for my family. I’m proud to be contributing to a company like BraunAbility that makes the same thing happen for individuals and families across the world!

My husband Brian and I....does it look like we're really suffering from anything?

Recently, my husband, Brian, and I watched the Olympics on television. We really enjoyed watching many of the events and cheering for our favorite athletes. It is amazing to see their talents and true sense of dedication to their sport.

Throughout the games, news organizations did feature stories about many of the athletes during their Olympic experience. One such story that caught our eye was about Alexandre Bilodeau, the first Canadian to win a gold medal at an Olympics held on Canadian soil. As we watch and listened to his story, we found out that Alexandre has a brother named Frederic who has Cerebral Palsy.

Both Brian and I have Cerebral Palsy, so this story quickly caught our attention. Historically, people with disabilities have often been regarded as individuals to be pitied, feared, or ignored. They have been portrayed as helpless victims, repulsive adversaries, heroic individuals overcoming tragedy, and charity cases who must depend on others for their well-being and care. Media coverage frequently focuses on heartwarming features and inspirational stories that reinforce these stereotypes and patronize and underestimate the individual’s capabilities. As a result, we were curious as to how the Bilodeau Brothers’ story would be presented.

True to form and right off the bat the reporter said, “Frederic suffers from Cerebral Palsy.” Each time Brian and I hear someone say these words, it has become a knee-jerk reaction for us to look at one another and say sarcastically, “Are you ‘suffering’? I did not know I was suffering.” We do this because neither one of us feels we have ever suffered or are suffering now as a result of our disability. We are people who live with a disability but certainly do not suffer from it. Why not just say, “Frederic has Cerebral Palsy”?

People need to realize that words really do matter! People with disabilities are, first and foremost, PEOPLE. People who have hopes, dreams, gifts, talents, and challenges…just like people who do not have a disability. It is important we do not repeat negative terms that stereotype, devalue, or discriminate, just as we would avoid racial slurs. Every individual regardless of sex, age, race or ability deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. As part of the effort to end discrimination and segregation — in employment, education and our communities at large — it’s important to eliminate prejudicial language.

People need to realize that words really do matter! People with disabilities are, first and foremost, PEOPLE.

Like other minorities, the disability community has developed preferred terminology - People First Language. More than a fad or political correctness, People First Language is an objective way of acknowledging, communicating, and reporting on disabilities. It eliminates generalizations, assumptions and stereotypes by focusing on the person rather than the disability. As the term implies, People First Language refers to the individual first and the disability second. It emphasizes each person’s value, individuality, dignity and capabilities.

Comments like the media made about Frederic are not only a negative value judgment but it also shows they are missing the entire reason for Alexandre’s respect and admiration for his brother. From all that I have read and seen on television, Frederic Bilodeau is a perfect example of someone who lives with a disability but does not suffer from it.

Perhaps George Orwell said it best, “If thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.”

Remember, people with disabilities are, first and foremost, PEOPLE.  Emphasize each person’s value, individuality, dignity and capabilities. After all, it is not just respectful. It’s simply the right thing to do.

With that in mind, I hope you’ll all plan on watching the 2010 Paralympics, which kick off on Friday, March 12^th in Vancouver as well. There will be no shortage of inspirational stories about athletes who are certainly not suffering from their challenges! If there are any other BraunAbility customers out there who feel the same way, let’s hear from you!

Amazon - Good or Bad?

OK, if you’ve ever ordered a book online, chances are you ordered it from Amazon.  It’s convenient, fast and the site has become a trusted resource.  What could be wrong with that?  In most cases, not a thing!  Amazon is great if you want to buy a book, but it’s not the best deal in the world if you’re the one selling the book.

Here’s why:  Rise Above retails for $24.95.  With every sale, Amazon keeps half of that - $12.50.  That may be a reasonable “convenience” fee for books that are sold for profit, but Ralph’s book is different - all the proceeds from the sale of Rise Above will benefit an important charitable cause.  So, even though you can order it on Amazon, we ask that you order it from braunability.com, because more of your money ($12.50 of it to be exact) will support The Ralph Braun Foundation.

~ Excerpted from the Epilogue of Rise Above ~

“Faced with these choices, my decision was easy: I would do whatever I could to help those in need. That was the driving force behind the creation of The Ralph Braun Foundation this year, whose mission will be to help provide accessible transportation to those without the financial resources to purchase BraunAbility products.

The sale of Rise Above will play a key role in raising funds for this worthy cause. Though the foundation is currently in the early stages of development, you can join our mailing list to receive future announcements.  It’s going to be an exciting year as this new organization takes shape!

Remember, be sure to purchase Rise Above through braunability.com to ensure your entire purchase price benefits the foundation.  And if you’ve already read the book, please let us know what you think by commenting below!

BraunAbility is proud to support NMEDA, as we believe that a strong “bricks-and-mortar” dealer network is the best – and only – way to offer dependable mobility solutions to wheelchair users across the country.  Here’s what BraunAbility President Nick Gutwein has to say on this subject:

“For our customer, who is in a wheelchair and looking for mobility, it is impossible to find solutions and meet their needs without this integral dealer-manufacturer relationship. There is no question in my mind that internet-only sellers, those manufacturers without a dealer network to listen to, equip, and serve customers, will fail in the wheelchair accessible van business. They will ultimately be required to find a way to connect on a personal level, and to provide responsive service around the clock.”

We cannot stress enough the importance of having a local dealer to support you after the sale.  While we constantly strive to build the most reliable products we can, your BraunAbility dealer stands ready to assist you with regular preventive maintenance, and they will do everything they can to get you back on the road if problems occur.  They know you depend on your wheelchair vehicle for work, doctor appointments - for everything! - and you can’t afford to be without transportation.  That’s why we strongly believe the ongoing service and support provided by our dealers is most important part of the “mobility equation.”

NMEDA plays a crucial role in supporting our national dealer network.  This year’s conference featured several useful seminars on topics ranging from “The Future of the Mobility Industry” to “How to Give Exceptional Customer Service.”  All attendees went away fired up to make 2010 a great year for our industry.

Of course, the conference is not all work and no play - on Thursday evening our dealers gathered at the National Auto Museum for a special BraunAbility reception.  Fun was had by all, and the icing on the cake was the special presentation by our Founder and CEO Ralph Braun, where he introduced his new autobiography, Rise Above.  Here’s a look at the video the dealers enjoyed in the museum’s theater:

You can order your copy of Rise Above here - all proceeds will benefit The Ralph Braun Foundation.

We’d like to thank all of our dealers in attendance for making the 19th annual NMEDA conference a great success.  See you next year in Daytona Beach, Florida!

Each year thousands of people visit the White House. They are able to go through certain rooms that are open to the public. It is a popular tour for students. Teachers hope it will do much more than satisfy their curiosity. Hopefully, it will light within their heart the fires of ambition and patriotism.

One of my greatest sources for inspiration in life - my husband and best friend, Brian!

After one teacher had taken her high school students on this tour, she later asked them to write their impression of the visit. Many interesting replies were given, but the one that most affected the teacher stated, “I was glad to get a chance to get to visit my future home.”

Not every child has the ambition to become president. However, every person can soar high (regardless of ability) when ambition gives him or her eagle’s wings.

One of the most expressive prayers of ambition and living life to the fullest was penned by the famous Henry David Thoreau:

“Great God, I ask Thee for no meaner pelf

Than that I may not disappoint myself,

That in my action I may soar as high

As I now can discern with this clear eye.”

There are two reasons why there is room at the top. First, so few get there. Secondly, of those who do, some of them go to sleep and fall off.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “A day is a miniature eternity”.

Today is a whole world within itself. It can make a world of difference in the life each of us has been given.

Today is a whole world within itself. It can make a world of difference in the life each of us has been given.

In just 24 hours, one can plot a course that will shape one’s life and destiny. In those 1440 minutes, there are opportunities to be used, challenges to accept, internal peace to quiet nerves, joy to give, vision to look ahead, time to make amends, and will power to make dreams come true.

Live life in the present tense. Not in yesterday. Not in tomorrow. After all, your tomorrow will only be the result of your today.

So, how to live life to the fullest?

1. Never take anything for granted. Savor every bite of a meal, enjoy what you have, and live each day as if it is your first day of your life.

2. Do not let the child inside you disappear or die. Keep your curiosity alive by being inquisitive and open-minded. No one ever regretted on his or her death bed what they did; they definitely regretted what they did not do.

3. Change a little every day. That way you will never get stuck or bored. See what is happening around you, and rather than feeling threatened or getting suspicious, embrace change. Ask what change you need to make and do it little by little. Whether it means learning how to send text messages from your cell phone or cleaning out the clutter in your life, adapt yourself. You will never get old that way.

The possibilities of life are in the present tense. Carpe diem! Live life NOW, and live it to the fullest.

Whether you know it or not, you make a difference each and every day. So, explore your possibilities…today. And remember, no effort, no results; little effort, little results; big effort, big results. That’s how simple it is! Do not live life half-heartedly. On the contrary, live life whole-heartedly. Allow your eternal flame to shine. You cannot kindle a fire in others unless it is burning within you. Let your light shine so that others will see it burning brightly and live life to the fullest!

Enthusiasm is an incredible way to empower yourself and others. Speaking of enthusiasm, I’m enthusiastic about having the BraunAbility blog as an outlet to share my thoughts on the power of enthusiasm and ambition. If any of you were in need of a pick-me-up today, I hope this helped! ]]> http://www.braunability.com/abilityvoice/2010/02/your-tomorrow-is-a-result-of-your-today/feed/ http://www.braunability.com/abilityvoice/2010/02/braunability-dealership-saves-valentine%e2%80%99s-day/ http://www.braunability.com/abilityvoice/2010/02/braunability-dealership-saves-valentine%e2%80%99s-day/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:29:34 +0000 Megan http://www.braunability.com/abilityvoice/?p=2268

David and Karen

As any guy would agree, the only thing worse than forgetting about Valentine’s Day would be having a romantic date planned and not being able to get out of the driveway.

That’s what happened when Karen Squire headed out for wine tasting, eagle watching, and dinner last Friday with David, her partner of seven years.  Karen rolled onto her Vangater lift and pushed the control to raise the lift, but nothing happened. After some repair attempts by David, she convinced him to call their local dealership, United Access in St. Louis, to ask for help (a feat not easily accomplished). “I told him that they’ve got years of experience, and there’s probably a simple fix they could walk us through,” recalled Karen.

She was right. After a quick diagnosis, Matt Kramer, Production Manager and a seven-year veteran at United Access, gave him instructions over the phone, and within a few minutes, they were on their romantic way.

Karen sent a complimentary note to the dealership praising the quick service, but Matt was quick to share credit. “That’s just what we do here. A customer calls, and we drop what we are doing and help them however we can,” said Matt. “You never know if they are in an emergency situation, so every service call is important.”

“Thank you for offering us assistance over the phone, which saved our day. We were an hour late for our Valentine date but the day turned out great, thanks to your company!” - Karen

Karen estimates her BraunAbility lift is over 10 years old, and in that time they’ve had few problems. When a problem has come up though, United Access has replied immediately to their situation.

“It’s rewarding to know that what you do on a daily basis can potentially be life-changing for the customer,” said Matt. “Sometimes that fact can be lost in the day-to-day grind of running a busy shop like we have here at United Access, but a note of appreciation like this brings things back to proper perspective.”

What sets BraunAbility apart from other mobility providers is that commitment to customer service , even on - no, especially on - days like Valentine’s Day.

“We aren’t just selling vans, we are providing a service that brings a higher quality of life to many people,” said Matt.

Thank you, Karen, for taking the time to pass along the praise and reminding us what we come to work for every day! If you’ve got a great customer service story to share from your dealer, please pass it along!

Lance Blair, founder of Disabled Explorers

BraunAbility has officially reached the most remote corners of the country!

Through an ambitious organization called Disabled Explorers, people with physical challenges now have the opportunity to explore even the most remote corners of the backcountry.

The Arizona-based nonprofit was started by Lance Blair, a lower-leg amputee who wouldn’t let a physical challenge limit his exposure to the great outdoors. Lance’s training as an Intensive Care RN, coupled with his impressive resume of backcountry experience and certifications, makes him someone you’d definitely feel safer having with you on any wilderness expedition!

With Lance as the lead, the volunteer organization spearheaded the design of custom recreational vehicles specially equipped for backcountry adventuring by people with physical challenges.

The star of their fleet is the Wheelchair Accessible Van for Expeditions (nicknamed the WAVE), which features a BraunAbility Millennium wheelchair lift and a powered drivers seat base and hand controls all installed by BraunAbility dealership Nor-Cal Mobility. Here’s an overview:

• Based on a diesel-powered Ford E-350 van with four-wheel drive
• Features an additional rear air conditioner and auxiliary heater to keep individuals who are sensitive to temperature fluctuations comfortable
• Includes an upgraded power system able to recharge an electric wheelchair
• Self-spotting camera system provides views of the front and rear bumpers, underneath axles, and the side door to check for clearance along the trail
• Exterior LED lights work with the camera system so passengers can navigate tight trails and choose campsites without getting out of the vehicle

Here's the WAVE at work in the Arizona wilderness.

The organization and the trips are completely volunteer-driven. Participants are required to have two abilities: curiosity and a willingness to explore. Another thing is made perfectly clear to team members: “This is not a tour group,” stated Brandon. “Whether you’re disabled or not, we still have a job for you. There are no passengers. Everyone is a participant.”

The group displayed the WAVE at the recent SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada, and most recently showed off the vehicle during the NMEDA conference in Reno. As awareness and enthusiasm about the group grows, they hope to grow their volunteer base and develop more ideas and spread their effort to different parts of the country.

“We just want to show people that independent back country expeditions are still a possibility,” said Brandon. They’d love to inspire more ideas, more participants and more volunteers. Click here to find out more about the group and how you can become involved. And let me just say, we’re happy to be along for the ride!

The well-respected HR publication spoke with Cyndi Garnett, Director of Human Resources at BraunAbility, about what brings - and keeps - BraunAbility employees here. The article explains why employees, just like our customers, are so loyal to the company. Take a look at some of the impressive workforce statistics Garnett shared:

• BraunAbility has had a less than one percent employee turnover rate over the past year
• 50% of the employee base has been here for 10 years or more
• Recruitment for new employees is and always has been disability-blind

“I believe that people feel his passion for what we do and every day they know they’re here for a purpose. They know that they’re changing the lives of people with disabilities with every product that goes out the door.”

Most importantly, Garnett shared the motivating force behind the company-wide loyalty and determination:

“Ralph gave birth to the corporation out of a need to transport himself to work in order to retain his employment,” Garnett explains. “I believe that people feel his passion for what we do and every day they know they’re here for a purpose. They know that they’re changing the lives of people with disabilities with every product that goes out the door.”

Our customers have always been loyal to BraunAbility, and now you can see why employees are too. Click here to read the entire article!

Ralph Braun’s new book “Rise Above” is shipping next week!  If you haven’t already, you can pre-order your copy on our website or amazon.com.

In Chapter 17, Ralph turns his attention to the subject of competition.  Growing his company from a start-up venture in a garage to a world-wide corporation was no easy task, and there were plenty of rivals in the early days of the mobility industry.  Competition is of course a good thing in business, but as Ralph relates in this excerpt, you don’t have to like it!

~ From Rise Above, Chapter 17: Back to School ~

As my father said, in the ladder of life, you’re either climbing up or you’re sliding down. Which way you go is up to you. I learned from him the importance of surrounding yourself with good people who will help you in your climb and of helping others in theirs.

When it comes to business competitors, here’s what I think about that ladder: no matter which rung you’re on, if you’re climbing up, your competitors are going to stomp on your fingers, pull on your legs, and try to shake you to the ground.

Wait a minute, you say. Isn’t this a heartwarming story of inspiration, of rising above challenges, of giving people the ability to live the lives they want to live?

Well, I hope it is. But it is also a story with one undeniable reality: business can be a knock-down, drag-out, bare-knuckled brawl where one side wins and the other side loses. It doesn’t have to be, and in theory, you should be able to peacefully compete against, buy from, sell to, and partner with any company with which you have a common interest. Unfortunately, while that’s a nice theory, at some point, competition means somebody wins and somebody loses. If you’re in business, you know what I mean. If you’re not, consider what Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s, had to say on the subject: “If any of my competitors were drowning, I’d stick a hose in their mouth and turn on the water.”

Pretty far from warm and fuzzy.

BraunAbility is not the only company to offer mobility products. While competition helps keep our game sharp, our real motivation is to provide quality mobility solutions, because we know our customers depend on us day after day.

Whether it’s a lesson in resilience or competition, there’s a lesson for everyone in this book. As I said above, the book will be shipping next week - we look forward to your comments!

Trisston and her "second mom", Dolly, at the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant.

At some point in life, I bet all of us have taken some sort of a road trip. Whether a trip to the beach or the mountains, a family trip to Grandma’s or Spring Break with friends, we have all felt the urge to shout “Road Trip!” followed by “I call shotgun!” to sit in the front seat.

I experienced the ultimate road trip in July 2005. Just to give you a little background, on October 2, 2004, I was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America/Alabama 2005. When I received the title, I had no idea how my life would positively change forever. I was already living a wonderful life because I choose to live each and every day to its fullest. But with that title many doors opened and I’ve been able to bring about a better understanding of the strengths of people with disabilities. It’s an opportunity that has continued even after my reign.

Throughout my reign I had extensive opportunities to travel advocating, educating, and promoting the abilities of people with disabilities. One of my responsibilities was to represent the State of Alabama in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2006 pageant held in Albany, New York in July 2005.

My Mom, my sister – Debi, and a lady who I call my second mom – Dolly, accompanied me on the trip. Since none of us like to fly and had concerns about my scooter being damaged by the airline folks, we decided to drive to New York – an estimated 1170 miles!

Trisston checking out "The Falls" on her way home from the national pageant.

Because I had so much stuff to take with me for the pageant, we decided to take two vehicles. Debi would drive her vehicle and I would drive my BraunAbility Entervan with my mom and Dolly riding shotgun and all of us taking turns driving.

Both of our vehicles were loaded to the gills! Literally! I never thought so much stuff could fit into my wheelchair van, but let me tell you…it did! For the pageant, each contestant was required to create a scrapbook of photos of my personal appearances and presentations, to create a display much like you would see in a science fair only for the pageant. Mine had photos and memorabilia of the state of Alabama and me, as well as handouts like maps, brochures, and stickers to promote my home state.

Additionally, since the national pageant was a weeklong pageant and the contestants were required to attend several events daily, several different outfits were needed for each day. Needless to say, I packed lots and lots of clothes, much more than I normally would for a trip. In fact, I had one large suitcase with just shoes in it! All of this…plus four ladies, a week or so worth of clothing, shoes, and make-up for each of us…and laptops, a cooler, and my scooter. To say the least, both vehicles were totally PACKED!

We drove our “caravan” to New York in two days stopping somewhere in Virginia to spend the night, and then, on to New York we went. The pageant was quite an experience. We met many incredible women and their family and friends from across the United States. What an honor for me to not only represent the disabled community, but my hometown of Prattville, Alabama AND the beautiful State of Alabama!

As the pageant drew to a conclusion, my Mom, Debi, Dolly and I packed the vehicles back up and headed to……………Niagara Falls! I bet you thought I was going to say we headed home. Well, we decided that since we were already in New York and were about six hours from Niagara Falls, then we should just do it. So we did! We spent several days at Niagara Falls on both the American side and the Canadian side. It was such a beautiful sight!

We had a wonderful trip that we will always treasure! As many wheelchair users already know, flying can be a major hassle, not to mention the real possibility that your chair or scooter will be disassembled and never put back together the right way. I’m so grateful that I’ve always had an accessible vehicle that’s allowed me to experience all life has to offer. This is just one of the many memorable trips my Entervan has taken me on!