Deserving Family Receives a Wheelchair Van on the Kelly Clarkson Show

CUSTOMER STORY

Family Receives a Wheelchair Van on the Kelly Clarkson Show

“The van will allow us to go on more adventures that weren't possible with the older van.”

BraunAbility had the opportunity to present the Arrue family, including Marcelo, Lisa and Bella, with a special 50th-anniversary edition BraunAbility conversion on a Chrysler Pacifica. We asked the Arrues to share their journey. As the family opened up, Bella playfully teased her mom for always crying when she told their story, but there is no denying that the Arrue family has been through a lot.

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Marcello Arrue, from Chile

The van helps us do all the things she loves, and as a father, it gives me peace of mind knowing she is safer.

Marcello Arrue, from Chile

Chrysler Pacifica handicap van Kelly Clarkson

Bella Arrue, from California

Thank you so much. This means a lot to me. Thank you.

Bella Arrue, from California

The Arrues' Story

Christian "Marcelo" Arrue was raised in Chile but moved to Los Angeles at a young age. He later met and married Lisa there.

Having previously trained as an Olympic track cyclist, the couple later moved to Pennsylvania so Arrue could elevate his cycling training and compete at national and international levels. Raised in Los Angeles, Lisa adored her new surroundings, complete with changing seasons and daily walks through lush wooded areas.

It was there that a small insect would bring big changes.

Unbeknownst to Lisa, she was bitten by a tick. Symptoms began with a rash and escalated to extreme headaches and muscle weakness. She visited physicians multiple times without receiving a diagnosis and eventually became embarrassed to return.

As her condition worsened, Lisa turned to her mother, a nurse, for advice. When her mother saw her limping because of the muscle weakness, she immediately took her to the hospital. It was there that Lisa finally received a diagnosis: Lyme disease.

The disease also led to antiphospholipid syndrome, or APS, a rare autoimmune disorder.

Lisa and Marcelo had always dreamed of having a large family, but the complications of APS brought challenges. The couple endured multiple miscarriages before celebrating a pregnancy that appeared to be progressing more smoothly.

However, partway through the pregnancy, Lisa began experiencing concerning symptoms and was told she would need to deliver early or risk the lives of both herself and her baby. At 26 weeks, Bella was delivered via emergency C-section. Classified as a micropreemie, Bella experienced a brain bleed that resulted in cerebral palsy.

The van is a blessing and a chance to give Bella the best care and opportunities to do all the things she wants to do for years to come.

- Lisa Arrue

Navigating Life With Cerebral Palsy

Soon, the family returned to the West Coast, where Marcelo retired from cycling and became a Los Angeles police officer.

Raising a daughter with cerebral palsy brought challenges, particularly when it came to transportation. When Bella was young, the family was able to get by using a regular van. But with no adaptive equipment, transferring Bella in and out of the vehicle fell to her parents and eventually took its toll on Lisa's body. She developed a hernia.

The family was able to obtain a used adaptive van with the help of the Los Angeles Police Department. It served their needs well for some time, but transportation challenges grew as the van aged. The family found themselves in a constant state of worry about reliability and functionality. This had a profound effect on the outings they could take and caused concern over even short trips to the grocery store or school. Repair costs began to add up.

A Life-Changing Surprise on The Kelly Clarkson Show

The family was invited to appear on an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. Lisa was told they were celebrating law enforcement, and she was thrilled that her husband would be recognized for his service to the community. But Marcelo knew there was a surprise in store for his family.

Excitement grew on the day of the show. As the family readied themselves backstage, Jay Leno appeared, explaining that he would be hosting for Kelly. Bella told him she was nervous for her TV debut. He knelt to her level and made her feel at ease. He told her that the thing about comedy was that it didn't have to be perfect. You could mess up, and it would make it even better.

Bella's whole demeanor changed. She was ready.

The Arrues met Leno onstage, and the true reason for their visit was revealed. They were receiving a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

"Thank you so much. This means a lot to me. Thank you," Bella said, expressing her gratitude.

The Impact of a Wheelchair Van

We asked each family member about their plans for the new ride. Bella was most looking forward to showing it off to her friends at school and her grandparents. Her next request was for a trip to Knott's Berry Farm.

Lisa said, "The van is a blessing and a chance to give Bella the best care and opportunities to do all the things she wants to do for years to come." The story of BraunAbility's founder, Ralph Braun, resonated with Lisa, who dreams of a future for her daughter where she can continue to make an impact on people through her lived experience.

"Bella's adventurous spirit is a lot like mine. The van will allow us to go on more adventures that weren't possible with the older van. Bella loves the mountains, beaches, and anything that goes fast, like roller coasters. She's always willing to try something new. She wakes up every day full of life and ready to tackle anything that comes her way. She truly makes me a better man. The van helps us do all the things she loves, and as a father, it gives me peace of mind knowing she is safer. Thank you for allowing us to tell our story and for a van that we can trust with our family's safety."

BraunAbility couldn't be prouder to be a small part of the many adventures that await the Arrue family on the road ahead.

The Arrue family is supported by BraunAbility and their local mobility dealer. When you purchase a BraunAbility mobility product, you join a powerful community.

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