How One Turny® Evo Transfer Seat Helped an Entire Community

CUSTOMER STORY

How One Turny® Evo Transfer Seat Helped an Entire Community

“Think larger. The seating system goes further than just helping one person.”

At 4-foot-11, Nancy Lemus needed a way to get her son, who is 5-foot-3 and a full-time wheelchair user, in and out of the family van.

Lemus' son, Christopher, was born at 29 weeks, weighing just 2 pounds, 3 ounces. Aside from a weakened immune system due to his prematurity, Christopher was otherwise healthy, but after two weeks in the NICU, he contracted a staph infection that spread to his brain.

Lemus said, "On paper, he has about 25 diagnoses," one of which is quadriplegic cerebral palsy, or CP, a neuromuscular condition that affects movement, posture and balance.

Christopher is unable to stand or walk independently, and he requires care from family members and nurses who help manage his medications and assist with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing and attending medical appointments.

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Nancy Lemus, from Delaware

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.

Nancy Lemus, from Delaware

It offers Christopher the opportunity to sit in the front seat and to get to see everything versus always being in the back seat.

Nancy Lemus, from Delaware

BraunAbility and The LENN Foundation Help Children With Cerebral Palsy

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, BraunAbility partnered with The LENN Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity that provides grants to families of children with CP for intensive physical therapy, to give away four Turny Evo swivel car seats.

The swivel seat, which is compatible with more than 200 vehicles, extends completely outside a vehicle and features swivel, raising and lowering functions to help individuals get in and out of a vehicle safely.

"I entered the giveaway thinking about Christopher and how awesome this would be for him and me," Lemus said.

Just like the ceiling lift, specialized bed and medical machines in Christopher's room, the Turny Evo is another piece of equipment that helps keep the family moving.

"Being able to put him in the Turny Evo and the chair having the ability to scoot back into the van makes for a much easier transfer for him versus me trying to squeeze him in the car. 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," she said.

The BraunAbility Turny Evo Swivel Car Seat for Families

Reflecting on winning a Turny Evo, Lemus said, "We felt very lucky and very appreciative. Having a vehicle that can meet all of Christopher's needs can be very complex for families like ours, so we're very grateful.""

The swivel car seat has brought Christopher and his mother many smiles, as well as a greater quality of life.

Lemus said, "Being a person who uses a wheelchair full time, he needs a break. Having this seating system gives Christopher a chance to be in something else that's not his wheelchair. It offers Christopher the opportunity to sit in the front seat and to get to see everything versus always being in the back seat."

Being able to put him in the Turny Evo and the chair having the ability to scoot back into the van makes for a much easier transfer for him versus me trying to squeeze him in the car.

- Nancy Lemus

Traveling With the Turny Evo Swivel Car Seat

The family loves to travel. The Delaware natives have been to Georgia, Washington, D.C., New York and Disney World.

Lemus described Christopher's enjoyment of car rides and said, "Whenever we're not moving for long, he closes his eyes to let you know that he's not happy. He tends to be very happy, but if the car is moving, he's smiling."

The family uses their BraunAbility Turny Evo every day, whether Lemus is taking her son to medical appointments or they're visiting their favorite weekend spot — the local farmers market. Aside from their own trips, the family has found pleasure in serving their local community with their adaptive car seat.

Lemus said, "It's not just Christopher who has used the seating system, but also people in the community who needed support. We have helped other families when people were injured and needed to be transported. We were able to do that with the seating system."

For those considering a Turny Evo, Lemus said people with disabilities, caregivers and aging adults can all benefit from adaptive vehicle seating and accessible vehicles.

"Think larger. The seating system goes further than just helping one person," she said.

The Lemus family is supported by BraunAbility and their local mobility dealer, MobilityWorks in Bear, Delaware. When you purchase a mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.

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