Good People, Good Products: Why Ben Trockman Believes in BraunAbility

CUSTOMER STORY

Good People, Good Products: Why Ben Trockman Believes in BraunAbility

“If you're able to get one for yourself, I encourage you to do so. They're good people. It's a good product. And you're going to make a lot of memories wherever you go.”

If you're driving down the road in Southern Indiana, chances are you might see Ben Trockman. A disability advocate, spokesperson, and city councilman, Trockman frequently travels for work, but he wasn't always driving a BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica. Injured at 17 in a motocross accident, Trockman became paralyzed from the neck down and has been a loyal BraunAbility customer for more than a decade.

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Ben Trockman, from Indiana

Going from my first vehicle to a sleek, cool, normal-size vehicle made me feel confident.

Ben Trockman, from Indiana

Without it, I don't know what I would do. Public transportation is really not an option in the area where I live., so having the van is very empowering.

Ben Trockman, from Indiana

The First Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

Today, Trockman drives a wheelchair accessible Pacifica, a model he has remained loyal to for years.

He said, "Going from my first vehicle to a sleek, cool, normal-size vehicle made me feel confident. It made me feel empowered to go and be where I needed to be. It was smoother and faster. The neat thing about these vans is you wouldn't know they were wheelchair accessible unless you have one. They don't look any different from any other vehicle, so you're sleek and undercover."

Since he sits tall in his wheelchair, Trockman is particularly fond of the vehicle's extended doorway height, which allows him to get in and out of the vehicle without crouching.

Trockman said, "What I like about the van is it is easy to use for anybody who does the driving for me, and I can get absolutely anywhere I need to go. It's not hard to show somebody how to use it. It's a winning combination of access and ease of use."

The neat thing about these vans is you wouldn't know they were wheelchair accessible unless you have one. They don't look any different than any other vehicle.

- Ben Trockman

Wheelchair Vans for Travel

Like many wheelchair users, Trockman avoids traveling by plane because wheelchair damage is common. He relies on his wheelchair van for both work and leisure travel.

One of the most significant trips Trockman took was when he traveled from Evansville, Indiana, to San Diego as a national representative for Easterseals, an organization that provides resources to people living with disabilities across the United States.

He said jokingly, "I'll never do it again because it took so long. The point is, we were able to do it, and that was because of a BraunAbility product."

Trockman has also traveled to Washington, D.C., multiple times for disability advocacy work. When he's not traveling for work, he enjoys visiting Major League Baseball stadiums.

"My longtime goal has been to visit all 30 MLB stadiums, and I have been to about 11 of them," he said, listing Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.

Finding Freedom With a Wheelchair Van

Before getting a wheelchair accessible van, Trockman limited his outings.

He said, "There was a time where I wasn't able to leave and do anything. The thought of not having the ability to get out and do something is a trapped kind of feeling."

Luckily for Trockman, that feeling didn't last long thanks to his accessible vehicle. He emphasized the impact the vehicle has had on his life, saying, "Without it, I don't know what I would do. Public transportation is really not an option in the area where I live, so having the van is very empowering."

Beyond traveling between work and home, Trockman said his van gives him an opportunity to be more social and spontaneous or, as he said, "It allows me ease of travel and allows me to, as I always do, wait until the last minute to leave to go somewhere."

Reflecting on his experience with BraunAbility, Trockman said, "It's a good company that has been doing this for quite a long time, and it's a reliable vehicle that allows you to go where you need to go."

When asked what advice he would give to those considering a BraunAbility vehicle, Trockman said, "If you're able to get one for yourself, I encourage you to do so. They're good people. It's a good product. And you're going to make a lot of memories wherever you go."

Trockman is supported by BraunAbility and his local dealer, Superior Van & Mobility in Evansville, IN. When you purchase a Mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.

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