Parker-Stayton and her family are supported by BraunAbility and their local dealer United Access in Berkeley, Missouri. When you purchase a mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.
A police officer and U.S. Army veteran, Amy Parker-Stayton is used to helping others, but when she needed a wheelchair accessible vehicle for her son, Christian, she knew it was her time to call on others. That’s when she came across Chive Charities and the BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica.
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A Life Dedicated to Serving Others
Serving the nation and her local community for over a decade, Parker-Stayton lived a busy lifestyle, but she always wanted a family. Little did she know she’d be one of the one in five women who struggle with infertility in the U.S. In fact, doctors told her she had about a 20% chance of becoming pregnant on her own without in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other medical intervention. In January 2012, when she visited her doctor to discuss fertility treatments, she was unknowingly pregnant with twins—Christian and Christopher.
Having Twins and a Disability Diagnosis
Parker-Stayton’s twins were born at 36 weeks, just a few weeks shy of a full-term pregnancy. It wasn’t until a few weeks after Christian and Christopher came home from the hospital that she noticed developmental differences between her sons. Knowing all children develop at different rates, she didn’t think much of it, but she brought her concerns to the twins’ pediatrician during their 6-month checkup. Parker-Stayton says it was then that, “Christian actually arched his body and flexed his muscles” during the appointment. After watching Christian, the pediatrician suggested he be tested for neurological, spinal, and muscular disabilities. Soon, Christian was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neuromuscular condition—often a result of prematurity—resulting in muscle spasticity. Christian’s diagnosis affects his ability to walk, talk, and eat. Today, he uses a wheelchair full-time, a feeding tube, and an eye gaze communication device.
Converting a Vehicle to be Wheelchair Accessible
Parker-Stayton knew traveling with two kids and her son’s medical equipment would pose a challenge unless she had a wheelchair accessible vehicle—that’s when she investigated grants and funding options and came across Chive Charities. Within six months, she received funding for an accessible vehicle.
At the time, to qualify for assistance through Chive Charities, Parker-Stayton needed to purchase a new vehicle rather than a used one. She chose a Chrysler Pacifica, and while the vehicle did not initially have a wheelchair ramp, she converted it to be wheelchair accessible. Today, she drives her Pacifica, fitted with a BraunAbility wheelchair ramp, frequently driving her kids to and from school, to the local grocery store, and to Christian’s doctor’s appointments.
The BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica
Parker-Stayton chose the BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica particularly due to its spacious interior. She said, “I still have my trunk space because [Christian’s] twin brother plays basketball [and] baseball. Plus, I have to carry a medical bag and supplies for Christian. Grocery shopping…we still have access to the back seat and the trunk space.”
Parker-Stayton also enjoys the vehicle’s charging ports and TV screens, which keep her twins entertained on long road trips. The three often visit amusement parks, saying about Christian, “[He] is an action junkie. He loves roller coasters.”
The St. Louis natives enjoy visiting Six Flags, as well as other amusement parks like Disney and Morgan’s Wonderland—an accessible theme park for people with disabilities. They’ve also been on a few vacations too, visiting the Wisconsin Dells, Chicago, and Indiana.
Accessible Vehicles for Families and Caregivers
While Parker-Stayton attests her BraunAbility van has made her life easier, the vehicle has also had an impact on other family members and caregivers of Christian.
“His nurses—they feel better knowing they have transportation in case of an emergency or if they have to take him somewhere, without trying to lift him,” she said.
Parker-Stayton also said the van gives Christopher an opportunity to be more involved with his brother.
“Of course, [Christopher] couldn't lift Christian and put him in a car seat, but he could push his wheelchair. Now, he just pushes Christian up in the van for me. He does all the locks for me. I'll make sure Christian is good to go and close the door. Really, I don't have to worry about anything,” she said.
The Impact of a BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica
Parker-Stayton says having an accessible vehicle is, “…more convenient, especially with Christian’s added disabilities and medical procedures.”
In fact, the accessible vehicle has cut down on travel time for the family. Parker-Stayton said before having the vehicle, “…it probably took a couple hours when I had to do something with Christian. I would have something planned all day long. If I added it up, the van probably takes an hour to two hours off my daily transportation,” she said, which allows her to focus on family, friends, work, and activities she enjoys.
Parker-Stayton’s advice for those looking to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle is simple: “Do it. No ifs, ands or buts. It will make your life 100% easier,” she said.
If you’re looking to purchase a Chrysler Pacifica, or another BraunAbility vehicle or mobility product, contact your local mobility dealer today.
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