How FA influenced our decision when it was time to buy a car
We considered our daughter's mobility needs along with our budget
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Even with the windows closed, I could hear the loud rattle of my husband’s old car as he pulled into the driveway. It signaled that the time had finally come for a dreaded task we’d been putting off for a while: car shopping. While some people find the prospect of getting a new vehicle exciting, I am not one of them.
Facing the prospect of being down to one car, it was tempting to rush into a quick fix — a fast purchase that might not serve us well in the long run. Another truth I had to confront was my tendency to overspend for our daughter Amelia, 13, who has Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), to ensure her comfort and happiness. With a major expense like a car, we could have easily derailed our careful financial planning.
Before we started browsing car sales and comparing makes and models, my husband and I carefully reviewed our budget. We needed to be clear on what we were comfortable spending before setting foot on a car lot. We mapped out our resources, knowing that if we needed to upgrade to better accommodate Amelia, we could consider dipping into her Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account, a tax-advantaged savings account that can be used to pay for disability-related expenses.
Finding both what we need and want
Next, we had to distinguish between what we needed and what we wanted. Although I usually prefer smaller, fuel-efficient cars, Amelia’s wheelchair requires a larger vehicle. We also had to consider her mobility needs and how they would affect our purchase. The biggest question became whether we needed a ramp to help transport her.
This question became a significant part of our car discussions. Amelia is still mobile — she can walk with help and get in and out of a car on her own. Since FA is a “use it or lose it” disease, the more we encourage her to move, the more she can do. Because of this, I was reluctant to choose a minivan with a ramp just yet. My husband and I spoke with Amelia about what she felt was necessary. We even rented different cars, including minivans when necessary, to get hands-on experience with each option.
After much discussion and reflection, we decided we weren’t ready to invest in a minivan with a ramp. Still, I researched funding options since these vehicles are incredibly expensive, and I want to be prepared for that possibility in the future.
In our county in Ohio, the local Department of Developmental Disabilities (known by different names elsewhere in the U.S.) will fund the addition of a ramp to a minivan. There are specific rules: The vehicle must be less than three years old and, if not owned outright, must meet certain financing requirements. Approval and installation can take up to six months. Notably, this organization won’t help purchase a minivan with a ramp already installed, and only certain makes and models can be adapted.
Outside our county, other funding options exist based on need and income, but finding them often requires extensive research. Knowing these resources helps, as managing FA’s medical demands is costly!
Once we ruled out a minivan or a ramp, trunk space became the deciding factor for our next vehicle. Amelia’s wheelchair needs a trunk that’s long, not just deep, and models like the Toyota Prius V, Nissan Rogue, or Corolla Cross fit the bill. We also needed a car that wasn’t too low or too high for Amelia to get in and out of comfortably. After all our careful planning, we realized one of the vehicles that fit our needs was also a car we genuinely wanted.
We are now the proud owners of a used but well-maintained Subaru Outback with a sunroof, affectionately named “Subby.” Will we eventually need a minivan with a ramp? Possibly. For now, what’s parked in our driveway meets our needs — and is ready for a summer road trip.
Note: Friedreich’s Ataxia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Friedreich’s Ataxia News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Friedreich’s ataxia.
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