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 believes enrich her Arizona community.

She began using a wheelchair as a child, around age 4, 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 her to stay connected to friends, family and her community.

title

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

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.

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 her bones to be prone to fractures.

“I've had several orthopedic surgeries with rods put in my legs and spine. I've had more than 110 fractures. I had most of my fractures when I was very young, and that’s the reason I'm in a wheelchair,” she said.

Life before a wheelchair accessible vehicle

Even though she has lived her whole life with a disability, Terry spent many years driving a standard 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 she 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 she needed multiple surgeries.

“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,” she said.

Working at the time, Terry said her boss encouraged 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 that requires a person to confront both the mobility they may have lost and the freedom they wish to gain.

“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,” Terry said.

Once she recognized the positive impact a wheelchair accessible vehicle and adaptive driving equipment could have on 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 she began driving a wheelchair accessible vehicle, Terry knew exactly what vehicle make, model, color and trim level she wanted.

“I wanted a blue Honda Odyssey with the Elite package. I wanted all the bells and whistles. I'm going to keep this car, hopefully for 10 years. So, I wanted to have everything that I would buy regardless,” she said.

She bought a converted Honda Odyssey with around 2,000 miles on it. The vehicle had an in-floor ramp, and she had a BraunAbility transfer seat and hand controls added.

Before she could drive the vehicle, however, she had to complete driver training. She worked with a certified driver rehabilitation specialist, or CDRS, to learn how to drive with hand controls, and within that same year, she was licensed to drive.

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.

- Terry Crull

BraunAbility vs. VMI

For Terry, passing her final driving test marked the beginning of a new chapter. “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. 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,’” she said.

Within two weeks of becoming licensed to drive with hand controls, she made a six-hour drive from Phoenix to San Diego.

“I went with two friends, a niece and my dog, and everybody was so excited to see me driving again,” she said.

Since then, she has made multiple trips to San Diego and visited family in Washington state. She said she now likely drives more than the average person.

In all her travels, she has rented wheelchair accessible vehicles from companies like Vantage Mobility International, or VMI.

“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,” she said.

When she's not traveling, she enjoys talking with others about driving options for people with disabilities.

“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, and how I attach the straps in the back to secure my wheelchair and make the transfer into the seat. People are just amazed. It's really neat to educate people on what's available and what can be done,” she said.

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.

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.

Find Your Dealer

Read Other Customer Stories

Gabi Johnson, from Minnesota

I wish I knew how much my van was going to save me.

Gabi Johnson, from Minnesota Read More

Mike DeLancey, from Florida

The van is going to do a lot for me as far as mobility. This is going to be wonderous for me.

Mike DeLancey, from Florida Read More

Dawn Crawford, from Indiana

The van provides complete independence, just like any other able-bodied person would have.

Dawn Crawford, from Indiana Read More