I am not Merrill but even after 28 years of quadrum and having three full-sized vans and one minivan... if I had to choose another van tomorrow I have no idea what I would choose. Even with all those experiences including three different van lifts. *sigh*. Pros and cons to everything.
I also use a Permobile (Chairman). I am only 5 feet seven or 5 feet eight and ever since I got my Permobil... fitting under tables, not being able to see out of my minivan well, etc. etc. etc.... Has me accepting what I have to accept for now. I am so used to my Permobil now even though I have had it since 1999 and so used to my minivan even though I can't see out very well at all and I have to bend over quite a bit to get into it... I count my blessings that both the chair and the van are not having any problems and haven't been for quite a while. At one time for several years ... one thing or another went wrong with my minivan after it was in a bad collision (in hindsight I should have gotten a new van) or something or other went wrong with my chair. I know this does not help but everything for all of these decisions is obviously very individual and, from past experience, I have tried everything out first. I rode around in the exact type of Braun Entervan minivan that I was considering purchasing before purchasing it. But when I was trying it out... I was in a different wheelchair and had no idea that my new chair that would be coming a year later in my life (the Permobil) AND would sit so high. Ces la vie. I also tried out the Permobil before considering it but when I DID that... I had a full-sized van with a raised roof and raised doors so I had so much clearance there was nothing to worry about. As Gilda Radner always said... "If it isn't one thing it's another...." Lori C4/5 complete, 28 years post Tucson, Arizona -------Original Message------- From: LTeasley Date: 3/1/2008 4:27:04 PM To: Merrill Burghardt; quad-list@eskimo.com Subject: Re: FW: [QUAD-L] Vans with raised roof Merrill, Are you in a power chair or manual? I am a permobil c-300, and I am also 5 foot 11. All this talk of not seeing out windows, bottoming out over too much snow, bumping your head on the roof, leaks etc. has me running like a scared rabbit! Oh no! Where do I start when I buy a van? Lucinda C-4,5 complete July 31, '05 Mpls., MN Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
