Mobility Solutions through Wheelchair Conversion Vans

Meet Olivia, a lively five year-old girl with Spinalindividuals and families better access to safe and
Muscular Atrophy.  Olivia "rules the roost" withreliable transportation.  Of course, Olivia knows
her family according to her mother, Anna.  "Wewith certainty who owns the van, especially since
were told she wasn't going to live past two andthe van carries a nameplate that Frank, Mobility
she's five now!  We sure try to make herSpecialist with Liberty Motor Company, mounted
happy!", Anna says.to the dashboard just for her.  That special touch
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a neuromuscularwas just what Olivia needed to feel comfortable
condition in which the cells of the spinal columnwith the van.
and brain stem deteriorate over time, eventually"When Olivia saw the plaque Frank put in, that
causing complete paralysis.was it.   It reads ‘Olivia's van'.  She says it's
"She's in a wheelchair 24/7 now.  When she getsher van. She just loves it", Anna recalls.
ill, she gets very ill.  She's been in the hospitalSoon after they received the van, the family
four times and a simple cold could be lethal fortook Olivia for a ride to see how she would react
Olivia", says her mother.to it.
Olivia has had this disease since her birth, but was"She got into the van without a problem that
not diagnosed with the condition until she was onevery first day.  I think the big thing was that
and a half years old.  Anna recently left her jobplaque."
of ten years as a bakery manager because sheNow when the family takes the van for a drive,
needed a less demanding job that would allow herOlivia often asks, "Are we taking my van or
to better care for her daughter.  Now Annayours?"
works as a baker's assistant.Dependence Converted to Freedom by Liberty
"I've never been happier. I didn't want theMotor Company
responsibility of being manager because Olivia'sOlivia is quick witted and has been able to spell her
condition is getting worse."name since she was two and a half.  When the
In order to meet their daughter's dynamic andfamily recently visited the Bloorview Kids
changing physical needs, Olivia's family purchasedRehabilitation hospital in Toronto, Ontario, where
one of Liberty Motor Company's handicapOlivia has appointments every six months, she
conversion vans.  Before they purchased theirnamed all the towns the family travelled through
white 2004 rear-entry Ford Freestar, with ain their wheelchair accessible van.
power wheelchair lift, transporting Olivia had"She's my little GPS!" Anna explains.
become very difficult.  With the help of theAnother trip the family enjoys making is to the
technicians and specialists at Liberty MotorElmvale Jungle Zoo where Olivia's favourite animal
Company, the family enjoys more travel becausecan be found, the pink flamingo!
Olivia can enter and exit the van safely and in"Going into the zoo, you see the animals and
comfort.when you leave, you pass through the gift shop.
Wheelchair Accessible Van Provides Easy MobilityOf course, we had to buy her the pink flamingo
"Olivia was getting to the point we couldn't putfrom the pile of stuffed animals. Yes, Olivia rules
her into our vehicle anymore, so we had to getthe roost, but Oh my God, she's a very happy
something that would allow us easier access. kid!"
With the new wheelchair accessible van, its muchThe van's wheelchair access conversion by
easier to transfer Olivia to and from the van. Liberty Motor Company changed life for Olivia and
My husband showed me how to do it in fiveher family.  It converted Olivia's dependence and
minutes, and that was it", noted Anna.limited mobility into freedom and independence for
The technicians and Mobility Specialists at Libertythe whole family.
Motor Company are committed to providing