Former Paralympic Coach Drives BraunAbility Toyota Sienna Hybrid

CUSTOMER STORY

Former Paralympic Coach Drives BraunAbility Toyota Sienna Hybrid

“The van is the conduit. It's the way that we are able to go do things and enjoy each other, and it's worth every penny.”

Former Team USA wheelchair rugby coach James Gumbert has led wheelchair rugby athletes to the Paralympic Games five times, taking home a medal each time.

Known by many as “Coach Gumbie,” he has lived much of his life in a wheelchair. At 18, he was involved in a car accident that resulted in a broken neck. While he was able to walk thanks to a bone-grafting procedure, Gumbert was unaware of how drastically his life would change following the accident.

Gumbert’s bones healed incorrectly after the grafting procedure, and doctors gave him two options: wear a neck brace for the rest of his life or have another surgery.

He said, “On April 13, I walked into the hospital, and because of complications, I woke up paralyzed. Since then, I have been in a wheelchair. My diagnosis is a C5-C6 quadriplegic.”

title

James Gumbert, from Texas

Driving shouldn’t have to be work. It should be something that you enjoy, and the Toyota has done a really good job in that.

James Gumbert, from Texas

The hybrid conversion was huge for us because gas prices are high.

James Gumbert, from Texas

A Loyal BraunAbility Customer

Injured before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Gumbert said the world was largely inaccessible to him at the time, but he had a strong desire to “not just exist, but live.”

His first car was a Chevrolet Citation equipped with a rooftop storage box for his wheelchair, similar to the BraunAbility Chair Topper. He used the system for about five years before transitioning to a non-accessible minivan, disassembling and reassembling his wheelchair each time he got in and out of his vehicle. When he found that process tiring, he transitioned to a wheelchair van.

Today, Gumbert drives a BraunAbility Toyota Sienna hybrid.

The BraunAbility Toyota Sienna Hybrid

If you catch Gumbert driving down the road, he might be listening to “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars,” as the vehicle's dark color reminds him of Darth Vader. Aside from the vehicle’s sleek look, Gumbert also enjoys its functionality.

After more than 40 years as a wheelchair user, Gumbert said, “Vehicle adaptations become more appealing as we get older. Those features are the key to making driving easier. Driving shouldn’t have to be work. It should be something that you enjoy, and the Toyota has done a really good job in that.”

Gumbert also enjoys the hybrid component of the wheelchair accessible vehicle, which maintains the same fuel efficiency as a non-accessible Toyota Sienna.

“The hybrid conversion was huge for us because gas prices are high. When you’re trying to find ways to save money, being able to have the hybrid component that helps with fill-ups is huge,” he said.

I love the van because it's my way of sharing stuff with the kids. It's my way of connecting with them.

- James Gumbert

BraunAbility Wheelchair Van for Families

As a father of teenage twins, Gumbert finds his wheelchair van brings family and friends together.

He said, "My daughter and I love to drive together. That's our thing. We basically get in the van and say, 'Where do you want to go?' and just drive until we find something. We find hole-in-the-wall places out in the middle of nowhere. That's something that we truly enjoy. We've gone to an African safari place where you could drive through and see animals from your car. We've been to museums. We've been to amusement parks."

A self-proclaimed "family Uber driver," Gumbert said he wouldn't have it any other way.

"I love the van because it's my way of sharing stuff with the kids. It's my way of connecting with them," he said.

While Gumbert enjoys driving his van, he'll soon be able to give up that title. As his kids work to get their licenses, they'll learn to drive his van, which Gumbert said will be especially helpful in situations of accessible parking misuse.

Connecting With the Community

He also enjoys sharing transportation duties within his community, often taking his son to football practice along with fellow teammates.

According to Gumbert, his van is popular among many kids in the community.

"Everybody wants a ride because they love the ramp. It comes out, it's lit up with LED lights, and the kids think it's really cool," he said.

When Gumbert hears kids say they want to ride in his van, he feels empowered, showing others that people with disabilities can drive independently.

Enabling Local Athletes Through Adaptive Sports

When he's not driving friends and family around, Gumbert is heavily involved in adaptive sports. Currently, he works as a public speaker, adaptive sports coach and executive director of the Texas Stampede Foundation, which works to provide resources and opportunities to young wheelchair rugby athletes.

Gumbert said his wheelchair van plays a crucial role in keeping up with his active lifestyle. When asked what he wants others who are considering purchasing an accessible vehicle to know, he said, "The van is the conduit. It's the way that we are able to go do things and enjoy each other, and it's worth every penny."

Gumbert is supported by BraunAbility, and his local mobility dealer, MobilityWorks, in Buda, TX. When you purchase a mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.

Find Your Dealer

Read Other Customer Stories

Adam Reininger, from California

I would highly recommend any BraunAbility vehicle, especially the one we got. I wouldn't hesitate. I wouldn't look elsewhere. I wouldn't even compare.

Adam Reininger, from California Read More

Juanita Dueñez-Lazo, from Texas

There are so many challenges around us. The vehicle makes a huge difference.

Juanita Dueñez-Lazo, from Texas Read More

Eric LeGrand, from New Jersey

It gives the person who needs the vehicle so much more independence and the ability to go out and live their life.

Eric LeGrand, from New Jersey Read More