A BraunAbility Toyota Sienna Hybrid Gives a Family Freedom

CUSTOMER STORY

A BraunAbility Toyota Sienna Hybrid Gives a Family Freedom

“BraunAbility made it so easy that I have nothing but the best things to say about the company.”

Austin Reininger is your typical 8-year-old boy in many ways. He's a fan of "Star Wars," "Jurassic Park" and "Back to the Future."

Diagnosed with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome, or AGS, a type of leukodystrophy that results in neurological and physical impairment, Austin relies on his power wheelchair and the family's BraunAbility Toyota Sienna hybrid to maintain his mobility.

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toyota sienna hybrid handicap van review

Adam Reininger, from California

Without a doubt, I would highly recommend any BraunAbility vehicle, especially the one we got.

Adam Reininger, from California

Adam Reininger, from California

The van allows other people and us the freedom to go and do basically anything we want to do.

Adam Reininger, from California

Life Before a Wheelchair Van

At first, the Reiningers were hesitant to go through the process of purchasing a wheelchair van. In fact, Austin's father, Adam, said, "Our lives are super stressful with our child. All the medical issues, being in and out of hospitals, the day-to-day is very difficult. Dealing with a vehicle and a car company seemed like a lot of extra stress that I really didn't want to have to deal with, but BraunAbility made it so easy that I have nothing but the best things to say about the company."

The family previously drove a non-accessible vehicle. Reininger said, "Before a wheelchair accessible vehicle, we were limited in where we could go and what we could do. Physically, it was taxing on our bodies to get him in and out of the vehicle. We thought things through a bit more in terms of, 'Do we really need to go there?' or 'Do we really want to load everybody up?'"

Wheelchair Vans for Caregivers and Companions

Having a wheelchair van has not only changed Austin's life but also the lives of his family members, who previously had to lift him and his manual wheelchair in and out of their vehicle every time they went out.

Reininger said, "Lifting him in and out of his manual wheelchair every time and lifting the wheelchair into the back of a vehicle was really strenuous on our backs. We were constantly in pain and going to chiropractors. Overall, my health is much better because of the wheelchair van. For a parent and a caregiver, it totally changes my world and my life, too, because now I don't have to struggle."

Before a wheelchair accessible vehicle, we were limited in where we could go and what we could do.

- Adam Reininger

The Toyota Sienna Hybrid Wheelchair Van

The integration of the BraunAbility conversion into the Sienna was life-changing for the Reininger family.

Reininger said, "When you get into the Sienna, it feels like it came right from Toyota. It feels like that's how the car was supposed to be built. Everything inside is exactly where it's supposed to be. It just felt like the right vehicle."

What first caught Reininger's attention was the vehicle's smooth ride and foldout ramp, but what was more important to the family was the newfound independence it would bring their son.

Reininger said, "One of the best parts about our BraunAbility vehicle is that when we pull up at Austin's school now and drop the ramp, he drives right out and lines up with all the other kids. Once you get to his age, he doesn't want to have to depend on someone else to move him around all day. The independence is really important for his psyche."

Not only has Austin been able to drive his wheelchair into school every day, but he's also enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He recently celebrated a birthday with a friend and visited the zoo with his grandparents.

Reininger said, "For Austin's grandparents, they can't lift him in and out of a vehicle. They'd be stuck in our house if my wife and I went out of town." But when they recently visited, they were able to spend a day at the zoo with their grandson.

"The van allows other people and us the freedom to go and do basically anything we want to do," Reininger said.

Wheelchair Vans Change Lives

Today, Austin and the Reininger family frequently use their vehicle to travel to and from school, medical appointments and social activities. Austin's favorite place to visit is the movie theater.

Reininger said, "This vehicle gives us the ability to go and do things. That's one less thing that we have to worry about, and it's one less thing that our son has to consider in terms of what he can and can't do in this world."

Reininger offered simple advice to those looking to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle, saying, "Without a doubt, I would highly recommend any BraunAbility vehicle, especially the one we got. I wouldn't hesitate. I wouldn't look elsewhere. I wouldn't even compare. I would just go in and start the process."

The Reininger family is supported by BraunAbility and their local mobility dealer, MobilityWorks, in Rancho Cordova, California. When you purchase a mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community. 

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Tricia Keierleber, from Texas

I think anyone in a wheelchair needs to have an accessible vehicle because they’re beneficial for everyone involved.

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Juanita Dueñez-Lazo, from Texas

There are so many challenges around us. The vehicle makes a huge difference.

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Nancy Lemus, from Deleware

Having the seat come all the way out makes it very easy for me as a caregiver and for him as somebody who needs assistance.

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