CUSTOMER STORY

A BraunAbility Toyota Sienna Hybrid Gives Tracie Ridgeway Hope

“I named it Hope because this van literally gave me hope. Hope to get out. Hope to live. Hope to have freedom again. Hope to explore and see and do things I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.”

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Tracie Ridgeway is the owner of a BraunAbility Toyota Sienna hybrid van, which she passionately refers to as "Hope." For Ridgeway, Hope is more than just a mode of transportation. The wheelchair accessible vehicle represents freedom and a connection to the world outside her home.


Life Before a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

Ridgeway previously worked as a nurse for more than 20 years and spent weekends riding her motorcycle and road-tripping with her husband, Darrell. She loved riding, but a gradual loss of mobility meant the couple could no longer travel together. Eventually, she began utilizing services provided by the ALS Association.

Ridgeway lives with a diagnosis called primary lateral sclerosis, or PLS. She also has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, also known as CMT. These conditions affect her mobility, causing gait instability, muscle weakness, muscle spasticity, and frequent falls.

Getting Behind the Wheel

The first time Ridgeway drove her wheelchair accessible vehicle, she felt empowered, liberated, and free, regaining a sense of confidence and independence.

"I love everything about my vehicle," Ridgeway said.

A few of her favorite features include the spacious interior, the van's sleek look, and the heated seats.


I can even set my granddaughter on my lap in my wheelchair and drive right up into my van and put her in her car seat in the back.

- Tracie Ridgeway

Finding Mobility Independence

Recently, Ridgeway took a trip with her husband, parents, sister, and brother-in-law to South Dakota, a trip she said would have been impossible without "Hope."

For Ridgeway, the wheelchair accessible vehicle allows her to feel just like everyone else.

She said, "I can even set my granddaughter on my lap in my wheelchair and drive right up into my van and put her in her car seat in the back. This was a big deal for me because it allows me to feel like a 'normal' grandma, even if for a moment."

While Ridgeway and her husband may not ride motorcycles together today, their wheelchair accessible vehicle has reminded them of what they cherish most: spending time together, making memories, and maintaining a positive outlook.

Ridgeway said, "I'm a trainwreck physically, but I'll tell you what I can do. I can smile and be grateful and thankful for every day I wake up. I love life and living, and I refuse to give up living life because of six stupid letters: PLS and CMT."

Ridgeway hopes others who can relate to her story see the value a wheelchair accessible vehicle can bring to their own lives.

"If you're looking into a wheelchair van, it's the best decision you will ever make. Just do it," Ridgeway said.

Supporting the ALS Association

When she's not traveling in her wheelchair accessible vehicle, Ridgeway supports the ALS Association, giving back to the organization that has provided resources to her.

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Ridgeway is supported by BraunAbility and her local mobility dealer, Superior Van & Mobility, in Fishers, IN. When you purchase a mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.


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