Many people see a wheelchair accessible vehicle as a convenience. For our family, it would be life-changing. 

 

Right now, every trip begins with physically lifting Fiona out of her wheelchair and transferring her into her specialized car seat. At 59 pounds, and unable to assist with transfers because of her cerebral palsy, each move is a full-body lift. As she grows, these daily transfers become increasingly difficult and increase the risk of injury for both Fiona and her caregivers. 

 

Her wheelchair also cannot be loaded into our vehicle fully assembled. Every outing requires us to take it apart, lift the individual pieces into the trunk, and reassemble it when we arrive. Repeating this process day after day causes wear and tear on equipment that she depends on for her mobility and safety. When parts break, insurance approvals for repairs and replacements can take weeks or even months. We are currently waiting for approval for a replacement positioning belt. 

 

One of the hardest realities is travel. Because our vehicle has limited space, we often cannot bring Fiona’s power mobility system when we go on longer trips. Without it, she has to rely much more heavily on us. Although she can propel her manual wheelchair, she does not have the stamina to push herself for extended periods of time. The equipment that gives her greater independence often has to stay home simply because there is no room for it. 

A wheelchair accessible vehicle would do so much more than make transportation easier. It would reduce the physical strain and risk of injury during transfers. It would allow Fiona to remain safely in her wheelchair while traveling. It would reduce wear on her equipment. Most importantly, it would allow her to bring the mobility devices that help her participate more fully and independently in the world around her. 

Our hope is not simply for a different vehicle. Our hope is for greater safety, greater accessibility, and greater independence for Fiona as she continues to grow. 

Thank you for following our journey, sharing our story and showing our family love and support.