Hitting the Road with the Freys

Amy Frey in her new wheelchair accessible minivan

Planning a vacation or shopping for a flat screen TV can be taxing. The process can take a day, a weekend, a week; involve hours of research, countless conversations with friends, family, and sales persons; and conclude with the difficult final decision. Now what if you were buying a wheelchair accessible minivan? For some, this can take years!

Meet Malcolm and Lyne Frey. They began the hunt for an accessible van for their daughter, Amy, over two years ago. The Frey family is young and active and was in need of a vehicle that was comfortable, safe and reliable. We recently spoke with Lyne to learn more about their search for the perfect van.

The Freys originally went to an accessible vehicle dealership for a quote, but were discouraged by the prices. At that time, they were not aware of the different types of conversions, ramps, and add-ons, making it difficult to determine what their family needed. But once Amy got bigger, it became difficult for the Frey family to travel.

The Freys are a family of five; Malcolm and Lyne have 3 daughters, ages 11, 8, and 9 months. Amy, age 8, is a beautiful and happy girl. Malcolm and Lyne learned that Amy had microcephaly, cerebelar hypoplasia, and global development delays when she was just 8 months old. She functions at a 3-12 month-old level and began using a wheelchair shortly after her 4th birthday. Amy is now starting to walk and explore but is still dependent on her wheelchair for mobility and travel.

The Frey family’s day to day life is very busy. With 3 children, they are constantly on the go and morning and nightly rituals can take hours. Lyne says that things have changed drastically with a wheelchair user in the family. Stairs and curbs are viewed in a new way. Everything takes longer and the family takes up space wherever they go. Lyne does note, however, that she gets the good parking spaces!

The Freys revived their search this spring and bought a rear entry, short floor from Savaria. Having the accessible van has made a huge difference in the Frey’s daily living. Before the van, it was quite a process to get Amy in and out of the family vehicle. Now all they need to do is wheel Amy into the van and buckle up. Lynn and Malcolm actually argue over who gets to do it! With traveling so much easier now, the family plans on taking a trip to Niagara Falls this summer in their new van.

“Buying with Savaria was easy,” Lynn says. The family lives about an hour away from our Brampton offices so their sales representative, Ryan, drove the van down to Amy’s school so that the family could take Amy for a test drive.

When asked what advice she would give to other families searching for an accessible van, Lynn replied “get educated.” Learn about the types of vans, conversions, and ramps and think about which is the best choice for your family.

Savaria at the World Expo in China

Savaria booth at WEE Expo 2012 in Guangzhou, China

Last weekend marked the 10th biannual World Elevator & Escalator Expo, which began back in 1996. Sponsored by China Elevator Association, the event took place at China Import & Export Fair Exhibition Hall in Guangzhou.

The World Elevator & Escalator Expo 2012 is officially the largest elevator exhibition in the world and boasted more than 50,000sqm in exhibition space. 600 exhibitors were in attendance, hailing from 22 countries, including Germany, Korea, Japan, India, Turkey, Italy, and Finland. Exhibitors ranged from elevator manufacturers to dealers to metal manufacturers to electric companies and parts distributors.

Savaria exhibited our line of personal mobility products, featuring our NEW gearless Eclipse elevator and our platform lifts, stairlifts and stair climber. Staff from our office in Huizhou had a wonderful time interacting with customers, dealers, and other industry professionals. Thanks to WEE Expo Ghangzhou ’12 for hosting this incredibly successful event.

Check out some pictures here of our Savaria booth.

Getting Started with Accessible Minivans

Savaria Side Entry Van

What type of accessible minivan is right for you? Use this checklist to find out and see a few FAQs too.

Choose a side entry conversion if…

• You have a wide driveway or you park on the street
• You want a power assisted ramp
• You want or need driver capabilities for wheelchair passenger
• The wheelchair passenger will be sitting in the front passenger area

Choose a rear entry conversion if…

• You are looking for the most cost-effective solution
• You have limited-space parking (single driveway)
• You would like to have second row ambulatory passengers
• You have a larger wheelchair (ease of access)

How much does an accessible van cost?

The cost can be split into two parts: vehicle cost and conversion cost. The vehicle cost will vary based on individual preferences and whether or not you buy a brand new van. A minivan could range from $15,000 to $60,000. Similarly, depending on the type of conversion and which options you’d like, a conversion may cost anywhere from $16,000 to $27,000.

Can I get my current van converted or do I have to buy an accessible minivan ready-to-go?

You may be able to convert your current van depending on the brand and its condition. The best thing is to call your local conversion dealership or the manufacturer directly and ask them if yours is a model that can be converted.

Are accessible minivans safe for passengers in wheelchairs?

Yes. They are just as safe as traditional minivans. Any reputable converter of wheelchair accessible vans will have performed seat belt tests and crash tests (front, side, and rear impact) to comply with federal safety requirements (FMVSS and CMVSS). You should not be hesitant to ask for a copy of these tests when you are purchasing a vehicle.

When it comes to accessible minivans, there are a lot of options to consider. Take some time to think about your needs today and consider if they may also change in the near future. It is helpful to know what you are looking for and then work to find a vehicle that fits your criteria. And don’t be shy about asking questions. Dealers and manufacturers are there to answer your questions and help you find the right wheelchair accessible minivan for you.

Rising to the Top in Style

Photo courtesy of Total Access Co.

A great home elevator must start with well-designed inner workings to provide reliability, safety and quality performance. Like a fine automobile though, most people are also interested in the aesthetics.  After all, an elevator will be an integral part of your daily life. Savaria dealers really get that idea and are always up for the challenge of meeting their client’s ideas for customization.

Home owners with a love for interior design or those with the desire to show off their personal style may want to aid in the idea and design process. Builders may opt for a customized elevator as a unique selling feature to increase the property value of a new development.

Clint Cox, sales consultant with Savaria dealer, Total Access Co., recently worked with local builders to install two custom glass elevators. Glass can add both beauty and functionality to a home elevator.

The first project was a deluxe 2-story penthouse in Philadelphia (pictured above). Commissioned by Total Access, this elevator achieved feats of accessibility and style. The stainless steel hoistway – the space through which the elevator travels – was welded on site by the builder, positioning the elevator in the center of the suite. Enveloped by a spiral staircase, this elevator has a freestanding appearance and adds elegance and intrigue to this modern space. Frameless glass panels were added, along with a customized stainless steel keypad phone. With its sleek appearance, this developer added value to this Philly penthouse.

Next up was a beachfront property. The owners were in need of an elevator but did not want to lose their waterfront view – understandably so! Once the simple glass concept was dreamt up by Total Access and the homeowners, Savaria built the glass cab elevator. Builders then constructed a hoistway using safety glass and customized hidden wiring was installed by Total Access. Most importantly, the owners retained their beautiful view of the beach.

The complement of your ideas with a Savaria elevator makes your home uniquely convenient and luxurious.  And that’s a combination that always rises to the top.