Ridgeway is supported by BraunAbility and her local mobility dealer, Superior Van and Mobility, in Fishers, IN. When you purchase a mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.
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 to the world outside her home.
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Life Before a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
Prior to 2020, Ridgeway worked as a nurse for more than 20 years and spent weekends on her motorcycle, road-tripping with her husband, Darrell. Ridgeway loved riding, but a gradual loss in her mobility meant the couple could no longer travel together. Eventually, she utilized services provided by the the ALS Association (ALSA).
Ridgeway lives with a diagnosis similar to ALS called Primary Lateral Sclerosis, or PLS. She also has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. These conditions impact her mobility, causing gait instability, muscle weakness, muscle spasticity and frequent falls.
Getting Behind the Wheel in a Wheelchair Van
The first time Ridgeway drove her wheelchair van, she felt empowered, liberated and free, regaining a sense of confidence and independence. "I love everything about my vehicle," Ridgeway said, but a few of her favorite features include the spacious interior, the van's sleek look and the heated seats.
Finding Mobility Independence
Recently, Ridgeway took a trip with her husband, parents, sister and brother-in-law to South Dakota, a trip that she said would have been impossible without "Hope."
For Ridgeway, the Toyota Sienna 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 van 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 van can bring to their own lives. If you're looking into a wheelchair van like the Toyota Sienna Hybrid, Ridgeway said, "It's the best decision you will ever make. Just do it."
Supporting the ALS Association
When they're she's not traveling in her Toyota Sienna, Ridgeway supports the ALS Association, giving back to the organization that has provided resources to her.
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