The Meaning of A Wheelchair Van

CUSTOMER STORY

How One Man’s Wheelchair Vans Represent More Than Just Vehicles

“My van is phenomenal. I am certain I would not have the life I have today if I did not have my own transportation that I could take care of on my own.”

If you ask Derrick Rice about his BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica, he’ll instinctively start with the vehicle’s name: 'Genevieve.' A longtime BraunAbility customer, Rice has carefully chosen names for both of his BraunAbility vehicles. Each name was thoughtfully selected to complement the vehicle’s distinctive style, and Rice's personality.

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Derrick Rice, from North Carolina

Hands down, if you’re looking to buy this type of vehicle, you should buy it.

Derrick Rice, from North Carolina

Derrick Rice, from North Carolina

I was not okay at first with having to get a minivan, but now I can’t see myself driving anything else.

Derrick Rice, from North Carolina

The First BraunAbility Wheelchair Van: Betsy

Rice was going about 55 miles an hour on a highway when another driver overcorrected. While that driver walked away from the accident with only minor injuries, Rice faced a new reality: paralysis. After 11 months of rehab, he went home, but due to medical complications, he had to wait another six months before he could get behind the wheel. Rice described being unable to drive, saying, “I really didn't want to get out and go because I felt like it was a burden to do that.” At the time, Rice was relying on family for transportation, and he used a Hoyer lift to get in and out of his vehicle.

“I was in a manual wheelchair then because I was fresh out of rehab, and I was refusing to go into a power wheelchair. When you're young, you have this preconceived notion of what someone in a wheelchair looks like. I was very much that way, so I wanted to be in a manual wheelchair. I had not been released to drive yet, so everywhere we went, my family had to hoist me with the lift into the vehicle, lug my wheelchair, and lug the Hoyer lift in and out of the car.”

After learning to drive with hand controls, Rice was eager to purchase his first wheelchair accessible vehicle, a BraunAbility Chrysler Town & Country, better known to him as 'Betsy.'

“Betsy — she was the first one. That’s what I learned to drive on, and I tore her up. I still have her. I can't get rid of her,” he said.

Rice described 'Betsy,' saying, “She’s old and faithful.” Over the years, though, he was ready for a new vehicle. Being taller, Rice wanted a vehicle he could get in and out of without having to crouch. More importantly, he started using a power wheelchair, and he was eager to find a vehicle that didn’t require him to transfer from his wheelchair into the driver’s seat.

The BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica Wheelchair Van: 'Genevieve'

Rice’s current vehicle, 'Genevieve,' is a BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica XT. With this BraunAbility conversion, Rice is not only able to get from home to work and everywhere in between, but the vehicle also has features his previous vehicle did not. Rice is especially fond of the vehicle’s extended doorway height, allowing him to enter and exit without ducking. What was most important to Rice, however, was having a Q’Straint wheelchair securement system.

“That was the most important aspect for me when I bought Genevieve. I had to have the securement system. I didn’t want to transfer anymore because that was just so irritating. I work in the event sector, so I can be at work until two or three in the morning, and the last thing I want to do is transfer, then drive home and transfer again," he said. With his wheelchair securement system, Rice can drive from his wheelchair, and the spacious vehicle allows him to enter and exit with ease.

Today, Rice drives 'Genevieve' primarily to work, home, and the local grocery store. He said, “I work with large groups of people all the time, so I don’t even turn the radio on in Genevieve; it’s just us and the quiet, and we go home.”

When he’s not working, Rice enjoys taking 'Genevieve' to the pier. “My parents live near the beach. My absolute favorite place to be is late at night — I’m talking 11:00 PM. I drive down to the beach, and I sit on the pier and watch the moon. We do that as often as we can," he said.

I work with large groups of people all the time, so I don’t even turn the radio on in Genevieve; it’s just us and the quiet, and we go home.

- Derrick Rice

Wheelchair Vans Change Lives

Rice’s BraunAbility vans have played a significant role in allowing him to maintain independence. “My van is phenomenal. I am certain I would not have the life I have today if I did not have my own transportation that I could take care of on my own. I wouldn’t be in the career I’m in. I wouldn’t be nearly as happy. Although I don’t like to go all the time, when I get ready to go, I’m gonna go," he said.

Rice emphasizes that wheelchair vans can make a positive impact in the lives of people with disabilities. He encourages anyone considering a wheelchair van to purchase one, and maybe even name their vehicle, too. He said, “You purchasing Genevieve? Do it. She’s classy. She turned my life around. I was not okay at first with having to get a minivan, but now I can’t see myself driving anything else. It is just so smooth. So convenient. Hands down, if you’re looking to buy this type of vehicle, you should buy it.”

Derrick is supported by BraunAbility and his local mobility dealer, Van Products Mobility in Wilmington, NC. When you purchase a mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.

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