The Hinson Family is supported by BraunAbility and their local dealer, Superior Van & Mobility in Louisville, KY. When you purchase a Mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.
11-year-old Henry Hinson first caught international attention when he dressed up as one of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour dancers for Halloween. He planned the costume a year in advance after seeing the Eras Tour Movie in October 2023. The dancers' iconic fan costumes, which the singer hid beneath each night before the opening song, "Miss Americana," created an ethereal visual show, complemented by Swift's vocal prowess.
Henry decided that he would dress up as an Eras Tour dancer for Halloween. Henry's mom, Erin, crafted the costume using pool noodles and fabric to create a large fan, and a hazmat suit, which she spray-painted to match the dancers' pastel costumes. Henry wore the costume for Halloween and to the Eras tour. After receiving tickets to the concert, the Hinson’s took a road trip in their BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica from Louisville, Kentucky, to Indianapolis for one of the final shows of the Eras tour.
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The Hinson Family's BraunAbility Vehicles
Before having an accessible vehicle, the Hinson’s had to lift their son in and out of the family car. Hinson described the experience, saying, "Henry would have to be transferred from [his power wheelchair]. He would have to take his manual wheelchair." She continued, "Henry has a lot of trouble with his shoulders when he uses a manual chair. He feels more comfortable, confident, and independent in his power wheelchair, [but] we couldn't get that into our regular vehicle."
Hinson said getting around prior to having a wheelchair accessible vehicle was "very complicated." She continued, "As he was getting older, it was getting harder and not as safe to transfer him from his wheelchair to the car. So, getting a wheelchair accessible vehicle really changed the game for us because we can get Henry safely to all the things he wants to participate in.”
Initially, the Hinson’s selected a BraunAbility RAM ProMaster with a side-entry lift, a vehicle typically preferred for commercial business use. When they needed a smaller vehicle for everyday use, they chose the BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica. The vehicle features a side-entry infloor power ramp, allowing Henry to roll in and out independently, as well as a wheelchair securement system, which allows him to enjoy car rides comfortably from his wheelchair.
"I think about what our family goes through on a daily basis…to remove any barriers is a win. Even just removing the barrier of having to transfer Henry from one seat to another seat…that's a victory for us because he [can now] just wheel into the van. We clip him in and he's safe and that offers peace of mind," Hinson said.
Family Trips with a BraunAbility Vehicle
The Eras Tour costume Hinson previously made for her son to wear on Halloween led to a memorable road trip in the family’s BraunAbility Vehicle: A drive from their hometown in Louisville, Kentucky, to Indianapolis, Indiana, to see one of Swift’s last Eras Tour shows.
The outfit Hinson made was seen by millions on TikTok after she posted a video of her son playfully showing off the costume, which caught the attention of Swift's marketing team, Taylor Nation. Hinson received a message from the team, and soon the two made the two-hour road trip in their BraunAbility vehicle to see Swift live. Hinson described the experience in one word, "Amazing."
Unsurprisingly, the Hinson’s car has two nicknames: "Patty Pacifica"—a name given as Henry is a fan of alliteration, to match the first letter of the vehicle's model—and "The Getaway Car," a reference to the popular song from Swift's Reputation album.
Outside of going to the concert, the Hinson family uses their vehicle for day-to-day activities—going to church, doctor’s appointments, and Henry’s cheer practices. The family has also taken their vehicle on a few family vacations—they visit Cape San Blas, Florida, every year for spring break.
Driving BraunAbility vehicles over the last few years, the family has many more adventures to look forward to, as their vehicle provides a sense of freedom and independence. Hinson's advice to anyone looking to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle is simple: "Do it," she said.
"[The vehicle] really is life changing. It gives you the freedom and the ability to move about in your daily lives that a typical car maybe doesn't afford the opportunity to do," she said.
Visit your local mobility dealer today to learn more about BraunAbility wheelchair accessible vehicles and mobility products.
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