Independence and adaptation with a Honda Odyssey

CUSTOMER STORY

Independence and adaptation with a Honda Odyssey

“Be good to yourself. We go through enough in life with a disability; don’t penny pinch when it comes to your vehicle and adaptive equipment if you can, because we deserve the best. We need the best”

Terry Crull enjoys life as a retiree, spending her time as many retirees do: traveling, keeping up with friends, and volunteering with local organizations—namely, the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau and the Holland Community Center—two organizations she finds enriching to her local community in Arizona.

Terry began using a wheelchair as a child, around age four, but it wasn’t until recently—a few years into retirement—that she was able to get a wheelchair accessible Honda Odyssey. The newfound independence her vehicle has provided has made it much easier for Terry to stay connected to friends, family, and her community.

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Terry Crull, from Arizona

I had to face the fact that I needed adaptive equipment on my vehicle if I wanted to remain independent and drive.

Terry Crull, from Arizona

Terry Crull, from Arizona

I drove the converted Honda Odyssey for my final driving test. I was looking at the brand-new car I was driving, and it was emotional.

Terry Crull, from Arizona

Growing Up with a Disability

Terry was born with a disease called osteogenesis imperfecta, sometimes referred to as OI or brittle bones disease. The genetic disease causes Terry’s bones to be prone to fractures.

Terry described living with OI, saying, “I've had several orthopedic surgeries with rods put in my legs and spine. I've had over 110 fractures.” She continued, saying, “I had most of my fractures when I was very young, and that’s the reason I'm in a wheelchair.”

Life Before a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

Even though Terry has lived her whole life with a disability, she spent many years driving a non-accessible Honda Odyssey until an accident a few years ago and the persistent ‘nudge’ of her boss at the time led her to an accessible vehicle and adaptive driving equipment.

“Prior to my accident, I would go to the Abilities Expos that are in Arizona. I had gone for several years, and I picked up brochures. I thought, ‘hopefully I'll never need this.’ I was still in that mindset: ‘I don't need anything on my car. I can do it,’ [but] I'm going to pick up some information. You never know,” she said.

A few years ago, while Terry was traveling to New York City on business, the shower seat in her ADA-compliant hotel room collapsed, and she broke her wrist.

Having brittle bones disease meant Terry needed multiple surgeries. She described the experience, saying, “I was getting in and out of the car by lifting myself. When my arm was messed up, I couldn't do that. I went six months without being able to drive. In other words, when I got injured without adaptive equipment, it was game over. I wasn't going anywhere.”

Working at the time, Terry described her boss encouraging her to get adaptive equipment so she could drive.

“I had a boss who told me I was capitulating by being so stubborn about not getting adaptive equipment. I think now in hindsight, he was right,” she said.

Choosing the BraunAbility Honda Odyssey

Getting a wheelchair accessible van can be an emotional process—one which requires a person to confront both the mobility they may have lost and the freedom they wish to gain.

Terry described the emotions when purchasing an accessible vehicle, saying, “I had to face the fact that the way I was getting in and out of my van in my 60s was dangerous. I had to face the fact that I needed adaptive equipment on my vehicle if I wanted to remain independent and drive.”

Once Terry recognized the positive impact a wheelchair accessible vehicle and adaptive driving equipment could have in her life, she said, “I worked with [United Access] in Phoenix, and everything just fell into place.”

Converting the Vehicle and Driver’s Training

Before Terry began driving a wheelchair accessible vehicle, she knew exactly what vehicle make, model, color, and trim level she wanted. She recalled her thoughts at the time, saying, “I want a blue Honda Odyssey with the elite package. I want all the bells and whistles.”

She continued, saying, “I'm going to keep this car, hopefully for 10 years. So, I wanted to have everything that I would buy regardless.”

She bought a partially converted Honda Odyssey with around 2,000 miles on it in 2022. The vehicle had an in-floor ramp, and she had a six-way transfer seat and hand controls added. Before she could drive the vehicle, though, Terry had to pass driver training. She worked with a certified driver rehabilitation specialist (CDRS) to learn how to drive with hand controls, and within that same year, she was licensed to drive and became the owner of a BraunAbility Honda Odyssey.

I'm so proud of my vehicle. When I go out and drive around, people come up to me all the time and say, ‘Wow, look at that.’ I love talking about it. I love showing them how it works.

- Terry Crull

BraunAbility Versus VMI

Terry described getting behind the wheel of her BraunAbility Honda Odyssey for the first time, saying, “I drove the converted Honda Odyssey for my final driving test. I was looking at the brand-new car I was driving, and it was emotional.” She continued, saying, “I'll never forget that day. It was like I was floating on air. I thought, ‘I'm going to get my independence back. I can see it.’”

Within two weeks of becoming licensed to drive with hand controls, Terry made a six-hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona, to San Diego, California. She described the trip, saying, “I went with two friends, a niece and my dog, and everybody was so excited to see me driving again.”

Since then, Terry has made multiple trips to San Diego and visited family in Washington state. She reflected on those trips, stating that today she likely drives more than the average person.

In all her travels, Terry has rented wheelchair accessible vehicles from companies like Vantage Mobility International (VMI).

She described her experience, saying, “I ended up renting a van about a year ago in Detroit for a vacation, and it was converted by VMI… No comparison. It was loud and rattling. If you had the van on any kind of incline or decline, that ramp wouldn't come out or it wouldn't go back in. So, I know from reading up on BraunAbility and from personal experience that it is superior, most definitely, to VMI.”

When she’s not traveling, Terry enjoys sharing about driving possibilities for people with disabilities with others.

She said, “I'm so proud of my vehicle. When I go out and drive around, people come up to me all the time and say, ‘Wow, look at that.’ I love talking about it. I love showing them how it works… how I attach the straps in the back to secure my wheelchair and make the transfer into the seat, and they are just amazed.” She continued, saying, “It's really neat to educate people on what's available and what can be done.”

Terry’s advice for those looking to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle is to prioritize quality and refrain from settling.

“Be good to yourself. We go through enough in life with a disability; don’t penny pinch when it comes to your vehicle and adaptive equipment if you can, because we deserve the best. We need the best,” she said.

If you’re interested in a BraunAbility Honda Odyssey, or other BraunAbility vehicles and mobility products, contact your local mobility dealer.

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Terry is supported by BraunAbility and her dealer, United Access in Phoenix, AZ. When you purchase a BraunAbility mobility product, you join a powerful community.

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