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.
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, but his childhood has been different than most. Diagnosed with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS), a type of leukodystrophy resulting in neurological and physical impairment, Austin’s condition affects his mobility below the waist. He relies on his power wheelchair and the family’s accessible van, a BraunAbility Toyota Sienna hybrid, to get around.
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Life Before a Wheelchair Van
At first, the Reiningers were hesitant to go through the process of purchasing a wheelchair accessible 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 Honda Odyssey, which was not wheelchair accessible. Reininger described the experience, saying, “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 lifted him and his manual wheelchair into their vehicle each time they went out. Reininger said, “Lifting him every time in and out of his manual wheelchair 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.”
The BraunAbility Toyota Sienna Hybrid Wheelchair Van
The integration of the BraunAbility conversion into the Toyota Sienna Hybrid was life-changing for the Reininger family. Adam 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 its foldout ramp, but what was more important to the family was the newfound independence it would bring their son. Adam 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 being able to spend time with family and friends. He recently celebrated a birthday with a friend and went to 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 are frequently using their vehicle to travel back and forth to 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.”
Adam offered simple advice to those looking to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle. “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,” he said.
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