Honda Car Forum

Greetings group,

My wife has been rendered paralyzed as a result of brain surgery, and
I was wondering if the Honda Odyssey would make a good vehicle for
transporting her in a wheelchair. I test drove one today and they
seem quite roomy, and I like the fact that the back seats fold flat,
which means that I could put a ramp in the back of the van. I may be
able to get by with the side doors, but they appear to not open far
enough.

Regardless, anyone here think I would regret purchasing that van
specifically for the purpose of hauling my wife, who is paralyzed on
the left side of her body, around?

Thanks,

Chris

"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:nft8329kpq3gn4h6nteaqkq37ujogcn07m@4ax.com...
> Greetings group,
>
> My wife has been rendered paralyzed as a result of brain surgery, and
> I was wondering if the Honda Odyssey would make a good vehicle for
> transporting her in a wheelchair. I test drove one today and they
> seem quite roomy, and I like the fact that the back seats fold flat,
> which means that I could put a ramp in the back of the van. I may be
> able to get by with the side doors, but they appear to not open far
> enough.
>
> Regardless, anyone here think I would regret purchasing that van
> specifically for the purpose of hauling my wife, who is paralyzed on
> the left side of her body, around?

Are you going to lift her out of the chair and into the van? Or are you
looking for something to convert for "roll-in" convenience? If the former,
then any vehicle that A) you can put the chair in (folded or not) and B) the
door and seats are arranged such that YOU can physically manage it, will do.
If the latter, is anybody doing conversions on the Odyssey? Braun for
example? I haven't seen any Hondas yet. Mostly been domestic vans and very
recently Toyotas.

Chris B <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in
news:nft8329kpq3gn4h6nteaqkq37ujogcn07m@4ax.com:

> Greetings group,
>
> My wife has been rendered paralyzed as a result of brain surgery, and
> I was wondering if the Honda Odyssey would make a good vehicle for
> transporting her in a wheelchair. I test drove one today and they
> seem quite roomy, and I like the fact that the back seats fold flat,
> which means that I could put a ramp in the back of the van. I may be
> able to get by with the side doors, but they appear to not open far
> enough.
>
> Regardless, anyone here think I would regret purchasing that van
> specifically for the purpose of hauling my wife, who is paralyzed on
> the left side of her body, around?
>



With all due respect, you may be best to ask this question of the various
companies that make "mobility vans" or "handicap vans". They would have the
most experience in this matter.

Was your hospital any help in pointing you to a source?

I just Googled for the term "mobility vans" and there are almost too many
hits to choose from.


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

On Thu, 06 Apr 2006 02:14:53 GMT, "Seth"
<seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:

>"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
>news:nft8329kpq3gn4h6nteaqkq37ujogcn07m@4ax.com.. .
>> Greetings group,
>>
>> My wife has been rendered paralyzed as a result of brain surgery, and
>> I was wondering if the Honda Odyssey would make a good vehicle for
>> transporting her in a wheelchair. I test drove one today and they
>> seem quite roomy, and I like the fact that the back seats fold flat,
>> which means that I could put a ramp in the back of the van. I may be
>> able to get by with the side doors, but they appear to not open far
>> enough.
>>
>> Regardless, anyone here think I would regret purchasing that van
>> specifically for the purpose of hauling my wife, who is paralyzed on
>> the left side of her body, around?
>
>Are you going to lift her out of the chair and into the van? Or are you
>looking for something to convert for "roll-in" convenience? If the former,
>then any vehicle that A) you can put the chair in (folded or not) and B) the
>door and seats are arranged such that YOU can physically manage it, will do.
>If the latter, is anybody doing conversions on the Odyssey? Braun for
>example? I haven't seen any Hondas yet. Mostly been domestic vans and very
>recently Toyotas.
>
Actually, I was planning on having a ramp or lift installed at the
rear of the vehicle to wheel her into it in while she is in her
wheelchair. This will make it easier on those helping us out by
taking her to various doctor's appointments.

I started to price already converted vehicles, and saw that new they
were running $60,000 and I thought that was entirely too much money
because I just want a simple transport vehicle, not a land yacht.

I almost purchased a brand new Odyssey today, but thought I should
research it further.

Thanks again,

Chris

"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:2qu832djcvna88ital288b7hckq5s8qn9g@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 06 Apr 2006 02:14:53 GMT, "Seth"
> <seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
>>news:nft8329kpq3gn4h6nteaqkq37ujogcn07m@4ax.com. ..
>>> Greetings group,
>>>
>>> My wife has been rendered paralyzed as a result of brain surgery, and
>>> I was wondering if the Honda Odyssey would make a good vehicle for
>>> transporting her in a wheelchair. I test drove one today and they
>>> seem quite roomy, and I like the fact that the back seats fold flat,
>>> which means that I could put a ramp in the back of the van. I may be
>>> able to get by with the side doors, but they appear to not open far
>>> enough.
>>>
>>> Regardless, anyone here think I would regret purchasing that van
>>> specifically for the purpose of hauling my wife, who is paralyzed on
>>> the left side of her body, around?
>>
>>Are you going to lift her out of the chair and into the van? Or are you
>>looking for something to convert for "roll-in" convenience? If the
>>former,
>>then any vehicle that A) you can put the chair in (folded or not) and B)
>>the
>>door and seats are arranged such that YOU can physically manage it, will
>>do.
>>If the latter, is anybody doing conversions on the Odyssey? Braun for
>>example? I haven't seen any Hondas yet. Mostly been domestic vans and
>>very
>>recently Toyotas.
>>
> Actually, I was planning on having a ramp or lift installed at the
> rear of the vehicle to wheel her into it in while she is in her
> wheelchair. This will make it easier on those helping us out by
> taking her to various doctor's appointments.
>
> I started to price already converted vehicles, and saw that new they
> were running $60,000 and I thought that was entirely too much money
> because I just want a simple transport vehicle, not a land yacht.
>
> I almost purchased a brand new Odyssey today, but thought I should
> research it further.

Well, I did a little more looking and still nothing on a Honda. In fact, I
found an article from just 2 weeks ago that specifically says no to Honda
and Nissan...
{For instance, conversion packages are available on some van models produced
by Ford, General Motors, Toyota and DaimlerChrysler, but not on import
models such as the Honda Odyssey or Nissan Quest.}

Full article at http://www.birf.info/home/library/tr...trans_van.html

For better info,as Tegger says, check out some of the newsgroup specific to
disabilities or your local hospital. Also, you don't say where you are so
no one can really point you at a place to go look. I can tell you to
contact Mike (my hopefully future brother in law) at
http://www.actionmobilityproducts.com/, but if you're not near South
Florida, that's probably not much help to you.

On Thu, 06 Apr 2006 02:52:54 GMT, "Seth"
<seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:

>"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
>news:2qu832djcvna88ital288b7hckq5s8qn9g@4ax.com.. .
>> On Thu, 06 Apr 2006 02:14:53 GMT, "Seth"
>> <seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
>>>news:nft8329kpq3gn4h6nteaqkq37ujogcn07m@4ax.com ...
>>>> Greetings group,
>>>>
>>>> My wife has been rendered paralyzed as a result of brain surgery, and
>>>> I was wondering if the Honda Odyssey would make a good vehicle for
>>>> transporting her in a wheelchair. I test drove one today and they
>>>> seem quite roomy, and I like the fact that the back seats fold flat,
>>>> which means that I could put a ramp in the back of the van. I may be
>>>> able to get by with the side doors, but they appear to not open far
>>>> enough.
>>>>
>>>> Regardless, anyone here think I would regret purchasing that van
>>>> specifically for the purpose of hauling my wife, who is paralyzed on
>>>> the left side of her body, around?
>>>
>>>Are you going to lift her out of the chair and into the van? Or are you
>>>looking for something to convert for "roll-in" convenience? If the
>>>former,
>>>then any vehicle that A) you can put the chair in (folded or not) and B)
>>>the
>>>door and seats are arranged such that YOU can physically manage it, will
>>>do.
>>>If the latter, is anybody doing conversions on the Odyssey? Braun for
>>>example? I haven't seen any Hondas yet. Mostly been domestic vans and
>>>very
>>>recently Toyotas.
>>>
>> Actually, I was planning on having a ramp or lift installed at the
>> rear of the vehicle to wheel her into it in while she is in her
>> wheelchair. This will make it easier on those helping us out by
>> taking her to various doctor's appointments.
>>
>> I started to price already converted vehicles, and saw that new they
>> were running $60,000 and I thought that was entirely too much money
>> because I just want a simple transport vehicle, not a land yacht.
>>
>> I almost purchased a brand new Odyssey today, but thought I should
>> research it further.
>
>Well, I did a little more looking and still nothing on a Honda. In fact, I
>found an article from just 2 weeks ago that specifically says no to Honda
>and Nissan...
>{For instance, conversion packages are available on some van models produced
>by Ford, General Motors, Toyota and DaimlerChrysler, but not on import
>models such as the Honda Odyssey or Nissan Quest.}
>
>Full article at http://www.birf.info/home/library/tr...trans_van.html
>
>For better info,as Tegger says, check out some of the newsgroup specific to
>disabilities or your local hospital. Also, you don't say where you are so
>no one can really point you at a place to go look. I can tell you to
>contact Mike (my hopefully future brother in law) at
>http://www.actionmobilityproducts.com/, but if you're not near South
>Florida, that's probably not much help to you.
>
>
>
I am in Louisiana. I just fired off an email to a place that does
conversions in a nearby city. Hopefully they will respond or call me
back.

Although I have found some websites that said no to the Honda, I have
also read that the new Odyssey is bigger than the old models. Most of
those ultra expensive vehicles are American made vans that have
everything but the kitchen sink, and the only thing I need is a
vehicle that will get me (or some of those helping out) from point A
to point B with my wife in her wheelchair.

Truth be told, I would much rather purchase a Honda or Toyota mini-van
over some of the American competition out there. The reason I really
want to go with Honda is due to the fact that the dealership is
walking distance from my house. This has made service on my wife's
1997 Civic and my 2000 Accord real easy. In other words, I am spoiled
with having the dealer so close.

"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:ip09321n0qmnephl9i8bb19dfugj3lf3sf@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 06 Apr 2006 02:52:54 GMT, "Seth"
> <seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
>>news:2qu832djcvna88ital288b7hckq5s8qn9g@4ax.com. ..
>>> On Thu, 06 Apr 2006 02:14:53 GMT, "Seth"
>>> <seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
>>>>news:nft8329kpq3gn4h6nteaqkq37ujogcn07m@4ax.co m...
>>>>> Greetings group,
>>>>>
>>>>> My wife has been rendered paralyzed as a result of brain surgery, and
>>>>> I was wondering if the Honda Odyssey would make a good vehicle for
>>>>> transporting her in a wheelchair. I test drove one today and they
>>>>> seem quite roomy, and I like the fact that the back seats fold flat,
>>>>> which means that I could put a ramp in the back of the van. I may be
>>>>> able to get by with the side doors, but they appear to not open far
>>>>> enough.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regardless, anyone here think I would regret purchasing that van
>>>>> specifically for the purpose of hauling my wife, who is paralyzed on
>>>>> the left side of her body, around?
>>>>
>>>>Are you going to lift her out of the chair and into the van? Or are you
>>>>looking for something to convert for "roll-in" convenience? If the
>>>>former,
>>>>then any vehicle that A) you can put the chair in (folded or not) and B)
>>>>the
>>>>door and seats are arranged such that YOU can physically manage it, will
>>>>do.
>>>>If the latter, is anybody doing conversions on the Odyssey? Braun for
>>>>example? I haven't seen any Hondas yet. Mostly been domestic vans and
>>>>very
>>>>recently Toyotas.
>>>>
>>> Actually, I was planning on having a ramp or lift installed at the
>>> rear of the vehicle to wheel her into it in while she is in her
>>> wheelchair. This will make it easier on those helping us out by
>>> taking her to various doctor's appointments.
>>>
>>> I started to price already converted vehicles, and saw that new they
>>> were running $60,000 and I thought that was entirely too much money
>>> because I just want a simple transport vehicle, not a land yacht.
>>>
>>> I almost purchased a brand new Odyssey today, but thought I should
>>> research it further.
>>
>>Well, I did a little more looking and still nothing on a Honda. In fact,
>>I
>>found an article from just 2 weeks ago that specifically says no to Honda
>>and Nissan...
>>{For instance, conversion packages are available on some van models
>>produced
>>by Ford, General Motors, Toyota and DaimlerChrysler, but not on import
>>models such as the Honda Odyssey or Nissan Quest.}
>>
>>Full article at http://www.birf.info/home/library/tr...trans_van.html
>>
>>For better info,as Tegger says, check out some of the newsgroup specific
>>to
>>disabilities or your local hospital. Also, you don't say where you are so
>>no one can really point you at a place to go look. I can tell you to
>>contact Mike (my hopefully future brother in law) at
>>http://www.actionmobilityproducts.com/, but if you're not near South
>>Florida, that's probably not much help to you.
>>
>>
>>
> I am in Louisiana. I just fired off an email to a place that does
> conversions in a nearby city. Hopefully they will respond or call me
> back.
>
> Although I have found some websites that said no to the Honda, I have
> also read that the new Odyssey is bigger than the old models. Most of
> those ultra expensive vehicles are American made vans that have
> everything but the kitchen sink, and the only thing I need is a
> vehicle that will get me (or some of those helping out) from point A
> to point B with my wife in her wheelchair.

But if no one is doing Honda's in quantity, you will pay just as much anyhow
as it will be more of a "cutsom" job to provide what you want vs. buying the
"commonly" converted vehicles that they can churn out quickly and at a lower
"per part" cost. If the shop has to fashion their own brackets and lifts
and such to suit the Honda, the labor rate will be through the roof vs.
using "off the shelf" parts.

Unfortunately the accessible van business is still very specialized and as
such prices will be high while selection is low. Just 10 years ago, mini
vans were barely being used. It was all commercial style vans with lifts
instead of mini vans with drop floors and ramps.

> Truth be told, I would much rather purchase a Honda or Toyota mini-van
> over some of the American competition out there. The reason I really
> want to go with Honda is due to the fact that the dealership is
> walking distance from my house. This has made service on my wife's
> 1997 Civic and my 2000 Accord real easy. In other words, I am spoiled
> with having the dealer so close.

Toyota is recently viable for this, so you may have some luck there.

"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:nft8329kpq3gn4h6nteaqkq37ujogcn07m@4ax.com...
> Greetings group,
>
> My wife has been rendered paralyzed as a result of brain surgery, and
> I was wondering if the Honda Odyssey would make a good vehicle for
> transporting her in a wheelchair. I test drove one today and they
> seem quite roomy, and I like the fact that the back seats fold flat,
> which means that I could put a ramp in the back of the van. I may be
> able to get by with the side doors, but they appear to not open far
> enough.
>
> Regardless, anyone here think I would regret purchasing that van
> specifically for the purpose of hauling my wife, who is paralyzed on
> the left side of her body, around?

I would like to extend to you and your wife my wishes for the best in the
future. I'm so sorry that she and you have been struck with such an
unfortunate turn of events. As to the question about the vehicle, I can't
help you with an answer.

Don't buy anything until you have a conversion lined up. As vans get more
and more features, converting them becomes more and more difficult. Toyota
has a page dedicated to handicapped access. Also check ebay. If you are
talking about a manual ramp, they are heavy and have to be extremely long.
There are lifts for loaded and unloaded chairs. There is a lot to this
subject. Don't buy a vehicle until you know what you need.


"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:nft8329kpq3gn4h6nteaqkq37ujogcn07m@4ax.com...
> Greetings group,
>
> My wife has been rendered paralyzed as a result of brain surgery, and
> I was wondering if the Honda Odyssey would make a good vehicle for
> transporting her in a wheelchair. I test drove one today and they
> seem quite roomy, and I like the fact that the back seats fold flat,
> which means that I could put a ramp in the back of the van. I may be
> able to get by with the side doors, but they appear to not open far
> enough.
>
> Regardless, anyone here think I would regret purchasing that van
> specifically for the purpose of hauling my wife, who is paralyzed on
> the left side of her body, around?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chris

On Thu, 06 Apr 2006 09:36:58 GMT, "Brian Smith"
<Halifax@NovaScotia.Canada> wrote:

>
>"Chris B" <chris@somewhere.com> wrote in message
>news:nft8329kpq3gn4h6nteaqkq37ujogcn07m@4ax.com.. .
>> Greetings group,
>>
>> My wife has been rendered paralyzed as a result of brain surgery, and
>> I was wondering if the Honda Odyssey would make a good vehicle for
>> transporting her in a wheelchair. I test drove one today and they
>> seem quite roomy, and I like the fact that the back seats fold flat,
>> which means that I could put a ramp in the back of the van. I may be
>> able to get by with the side doors, but they appear to not open far
>> enough.
>>
>> Regardless, anyone here think I would regret purchasing that van
>> specifically for the purpose of hauling my wife, who is paralyzed on
>> the left side of her body, around?
>
>I would like to extend to you and your wife my wishes for the best in the
>future. I'm so sorry that she and you have been struck with such an
>unfortunate turn of events. As to the question about the vehicle, I can't
>help you with an answer.
>

Thanks for the well wishes.

Sadly, from what I am seeing, Honda does not appear to offer any type
of mobility van, and most ramps say "except Honda Odyssey" so I may
have to look elsewhere. There is a Toyota Rampvan dealer about 50
miles away, and I will call them tomorrow or Monday. I am starting to
like the idea of an integrated power ramp that can be activated
manually.

I am just glad that I did not purchase the first minivan that came to
mind on a whim, because I would have been screwed.