How We Got Takoda In and Out of the Old Van

Since 2001, we've managed to get him out to his appointments and activities by lifting him in and out of our van, partially disassembling his wheelchair, and using a portable ramp to get the wheelchair into the van. To get Takoda into and out of the car is a lengthy, physically exhausting procedure, especially in the heat of summer.

Fold him up We lift Koda out of his wheelchair into the van, lift and scoot his knees and feet around manually to get him to sit facing forward.
The wheelchair has to be partially disassembled. Breakdown
The ramp weighs 45 pounds and must be folded and unfolded for use and lifted into the cargo area behind the wheelchair.
We use a 2x4 piece of wood at the lip of the bumper to drive the chair out of the van because it's too high for the chair to drive over otherwise. Careful!
Cramped Koda's height makes his feet push against the driver's seat and sometimes they get caught in painful positions under it. He can't quite sit independently so we have to prop him up with pillows. The regular seatbelt doesn't hold him in if he gets excited or upset, when his whole body stiffens involuntarily. When he has a seizure in the car, we've had to stop the van on the side of the road and adjust his position afterwards.

	We lift Koda out of his wheelchair into the van, lift and scoot his knees and feet around manually to get him to sit facing forward.
The wheelchair has to be partially disassembled.
	The ramp weighs 45 pounds and must be folded and unfolded for use and lifted into the cargo area behind the wheelchair.
We use a 2x4 piece of wood at the lip of the bumper to drive the chair out of the van because it's too high for the chair to drive over otherwise.
	Koda's height makes his feet push against the driver's seat and sometimes they get caught in painful positions under it. He can't quite sit independently so we have to prop him up with pillows. The regular seatbelt doesn't hold him in if he gets excited or upset, when his whole body stiffens involuntarily. When he has a seizure in the car, we've had to stop the van on the side of the road and adjust his position afterwards.