Every road has its twists and turns, leading to places we don’t always expect. For Sam Scribner and Katarina Mandiola, that road led to each other.
They met through a shared love of travel. Scribner said of meeting his now-fiancée, “We met because we were both building vehicles we could travel in. My sister and I were converting a school bus, and Katarina was working on a Ford Transit.”
Over the next few years, they finished converting their vehicles, traveled together, and fell in love. Eventually, they decided to settle down, selling the vehicles they converted and purchasing a fixer-upper in Florida. As they renovate their home to ensure accessibility for Scribner, a new vehicle sits in the driveway — a wheelchair accessible BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica.
Scribner and Mandiola lived active lives before Mandiola was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and Scribner became a quadriplegic after an accident involving a hammock.
Initially, Scribner documented his journey of converting a school bus into a livable, accessible space on social media. After meeting Mandiola, the pair combined his love of filmmaking with her passion for art and graphic design, creating a joint platform to share their experiences navigating disability and caregiving.
Like any couple, the pair went on multiple dates early in their relationship. While they had an accessible vehicle, it did not adequately meet their needs.
Scribner said, “First of all, the car doors would open, and it'd be like —” He imitated a loud, creaky squeak reminiscent of a shopping cart with a stuck wheel.
“You’re dressed nicely or at a fancy restaurant, then she would have to bend down and do the straps for my wheelchair. We’re parked in a handicap spot, so we’re right up front, too,” he said.
Mandiola said the rear-entry vehicle meant Scribner could not drive because the vehicle’s front seats were not removable, and the manual ramp and wheelchair securement process was cumbersome.
“I had to manually strap Sam and his wheelchair in. The ramp handle was broken. There wasn’t a button for the ramp to automatically come out. You had to lift this heavy metal, unfold it, and lower it to the ground, then push Sam in because he was in a manual wheelchair at the time. Plus, I had to drive. It took a lot of effort as the caregiver to do everything,” Mandiola said.
Once Scribner began learning to drive, he chose a BraunAbility vehicle.
"I was working with vocational rehab to get into a vehicle I could drive. I landed on BraunAbility adaptations because it gave me the most freedom. Having the BraunAbility van, especially after having something that wasn't quite so tailored to my situation, was the biggest breath of fresh air," he said.
Mandiola said the vehicle has provided not only mobility but also peace of mind. With an automatic ramp and wheelchair securement system, Scribner can get in and out of the vehicle and drive independently.
"When Sam first got his Pacifica, I was like a passenger princess. I'm so spoiled now. I don't need to do anything. The van has been a huge balancing element of our relationship because I'm his full-time caregiver and we're first-time homeowners. Now that Sam drives, it’s a huge help. It hugely increases Sam’s independence and gives us balance," Mandiola said.
Scribner shared a similar sentiment, saying, "For caregivers, even if I wasn't driving, everything being push-button and very easy lightens the load on your caregiver. We all know caregivers work hard to make sure those of us with disabilities can do what we need to do."
The couple enjoys spending time outdoors. Thanks to the van, Scribner is not only able to drive from his power wheelchair but also transport his off-road wheelchair.
“For the first four years of our relationship, we weren't able to go outside together,” Mandiola said.
In a lighthearted manner, she referred to herself and her fiancé as explorers who want to “live outside like feral cats.”
In a more reflective moment, she said, “For Sam, when we first took the off-road wheelchair out, he was like, ‘I haven't been out in the trees and the grass and no pavement.’”
Mandiola said, “Sam is very proud of his van; that's for sure. He keeps it spotless. Whenever his wheelchair tires track in sand, he's like, ‘I have to get it detailed.’”
With a mix of sincerity and humor, Scribner said, “The van has been life-changing for me, and I do not want to lose that, so anything I can do — maybe getting the car washed 12 times a week, I don't know. That might be a little excessive, but it's important to take care of it.”
The pride Scribner takes in his vehicle is the same kind of pride BraunAbility has taken in manufacturing wheelchair accessible vehicles for over 50 years, changing more than 1 million lives.
Having read about BraunAbility's founder Ralph Braun, who also had a disability, Scribner said he appreciated Braun’s dedication and legacy.
“The level of thought and care that goes into these vehicles speaks volumes. I would recommend anyone consider a BraunAbility vehicle. The van has performed amazingly. Everything is built well, and I would suggest anyone take advantage of BraunAbility’s extensive research and history in making these vehicles,” Scribner said.
Scribner and Mandiola are supported by BraunAbility and their dealer, MobilityWorks in Ormond Beach, FL. When you purchase a BraunAbility mobility product, you join a powerful community.
Vehicle $28.979
Standard Equipment:
17" Wheel Cover
