Posted on 01/02/2023 3:27:38 AM PST by paladinkc
We have come to a situation where we need to have a wheelchair van for my disabled spouse, unfortunately it seems that they don't mean what they say about them being accessible. How is a disabled person supposed to be able to spend $60,000 in order to be able to go anywhere? Forget asking charitable organizations that are more than willing to take your money, but when it comes to getting help you need...crickets. I thought about self identifying as an angry black lesbian abducted by space aliens, but I figured the aliens would get preferential treatment
Not being flip, but if you also had a disabled dog, it might make sense to do a GoFundMe.
In my city, we have disabled transit service. You call to call for a pick-up and it is somewhat dependent on who else needs ir, but it is there.
Any van can be converted to have a ramp or lift to save money. Used lifts and ramps are available. Still a cost saving even if you need to pay someone else to install it. A fab shop can make a fold up ramp fairly inexpensive if a ramp is enough for your needs.
I mean many people are more prone to help (if you want help) an animal than a human. Kind of sad.
Don’t know brother but if you are of the right persuasion and you know what I mean herr government will set you up in bizness with a wheelchair van to do their free hauling of the disearrving people peoples complete with free licensing and plates. Get paid moneys too. All others ride in the back of their owns car.
My sister was able to find someone that owns and operates a disabled van for hire. The access vans are very expensive to buy, and are not easy to resell.
Sad, but true.
“Any van can be converted to have a ramp or lift to save money.”
True.
However, if you are converting a mini van (any minivan) do not forget to beef up the suspension. Most of them are way too soft for the added weight of the conversion kit.
Hell, if I were converting a 1/2 ton van I would at a minimum beef up the rear.
Not to be morbibly but there should be good second hand lift vans on the market. Still not cheap but better than buying a brand new one that won’t get the milage a typical van or truck may get.
Seems the most common thing I have seen, someone buys a old van and they add it to the vehicle.
I had a van that I sold to someone who was disabled, they took the gear off another one and had it installed.
I pray for you and your spouse and am sorry that your life has changed to a direction that seems harder to manage. However, it is a new beginning and a new direction that might lead to positive areas that you cannot see at the moment. I trust that there will be good coming from this life-changing event. I pray for peace for you and your family.
I haven’t searched lately, but eBay had some at one point.
I work for a program under Trinity Health that regularly transports disabled folks. Small shuttle bus with a lift. Other features are a clinic and activity center, home visiting care, etc. All-inclusive care for the elderly so they can live safely at home.
I see our local bus company also has a fleet of those same kind of buses, but I’ve heard they are haphazard when it comes to scheduling, IOW you might wait a while.
Have you looked at the used market? I have seen some used handicapped vans cheaper than the regular ones. You might even buy one and put in a rebuilt engine.
A friend of ours rented vans, had several during the time her husband had need of them. We are not in a city in Texas.
We have a transit service in our small town that has a lift and takes many disabled to shopping and other places.
I pray you find an answer. Life is so tough sometimes.
I just spent a month finding a solution for my wife.
Best practices depending on your needs....
1. Google “wheel chair van rentals near me”. There are a dozen national chains and some locals. They will pick up and drop off. It runs $80 to $130 a day for late model reliable van.
This is the best solution for immediate and short term or occasional MD outpatient visits or day trips.
2. 2 or 3 national Facebook groups exist for wheelchair vans for sale.
-New(er) ones are indeed $60-$80k.
-Next down are 5 year old+ vans with 60-100k miles for $24 to $40k.
-Many used vans come out of rental fleets or are on a third or fourth owner. High mileage is normal.
3. E-bay the same search as above.
4. Urban areas have both govt and private mobility van and taxi/Uber services.....Medicaid or state programs will pay if you are “poor”.....if you are retired or working middle class...you are screwed as usual.
My solution came thru a Facebook group for a rust free mechanically sound rear ramp loading 2005 Ford Freestar from GA with 100k miles for $9k.....It took a while to find it.
My opinions:
The rear ramp loading vans are mechanically simpler, easier to load/unload and allow the patient to run up between the real seats like a passenger as opposed to sitting sideways like in a bus or being isolated like freight.
If having a distant van shipped....lots are in CA and FL for obvious old folk reasons...do not pick a shipper until 3-5 days after you solicit......like airlines and hotels, car shippers all use “yield management” software. My prices dropped from $2,500 down to $500 in that period from a dozen companies.
Use the WC van as your second or primary car, not as an additional car.
It is a tool, not a fashion statement.
Ugly vans are cheaper.
Good luck. Used vehicles are like buses....there will be another along in a minute if you wait...watch the market if you can wait and by learning, you will get a better deal rather than leaving with the first pretty girl that winks at you.
Here you go, this place has quality used wheelchair vans, and is located in Pennsylvania:
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