Helmer is supported by BraunAbility and his dealer, MobilityWorks in Murrells Inlet, SC. When you purchase a mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.
From a young age, Lee Helmer has been captivated by cars. During his childhood, he watched his uncle participating in car shows. As an adult, he has attended NASCAR races and visited local short tracks. This early exposure fueled his lifelong passion for showcasing cars and their capabilities. Helmer says, "My dad and my brother think all guys have been car guys. I like keeping my car all nice and shiny and showing it off to people.”
Helmer described his vehicle, a BraunAbility Chevrolet Traverse, saying, “I love it. It’s black. I've customized it with red accents. What I love about the Traverse is it’s an SUV. I like how the doors open, and I like how the ramp comes out. It's a lot sportier, and I like showing it off.”
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Life Before a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
Helmer was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months old. Around age five, he began using a manual wheelchair, which he used until he graduated high school. At that point, he transitioned to a power wheelchair. Around the same time, his parents got the family’s first accessible vehicle. Priorly, they drove Dodge Grand Caravans. Describing life then, Helmer said, “Before I had any type of accessible vehicle, it used to be very hard on my parents.” Helmer’s parents lifted their son and his wheelchair into a non-accessible vehicle each time they went out. Now in his 30s, Helmer has been a loyal BraunAbility customer for many years. “I've had BraunAbility vehicles for over a decade, and they've always been reliable”, he said.
The BraunAbility Chevrolet Traverse at Car Shows
Helmer enjoys taking his wheelchair accessible SUV to car shows. Collecting multiple trophies over the years, he described showing off his vehicle to many people, saying, “When I take it to car shows, kids are so amazed. They’re like, ‘Wow, that looks like a spaceship.’” He continued, “Many people comment on my vehicle. What’s cool about it is that when you look at it, not many people know it's modified. So, if you look at it from afar, it looks like a stock vehicle.”
Misconceptions About Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
Many wheelchair users believe minivans are the only accessible vehicles, but this is no longer the case. Helmer initially used wheelchair accessible minivans, as they were the only type of accessible vehicle available at the time. However, today, wheelchair accessible SUVs are also an option. Helmer said, “BraunAbility… a lot of people know that they do vans, [but] a lot of people don’t know they do SUVs. I show people, even when I’m not at car shows, how the door opens, and the ramp comes out. They’re just amazed at the innovations nowadays.”
Finding Freedom with a Wheelchair Accessible SUV
Day-to-day, Helmer uses his accessible SUV to get to and from physical therapy. He said, “Last year, I had a couple of surgeries on my feet. The surgeries helped with my independence, but right now, I'm taking [the vehicle] back and forth to physical therapy.”
While he doesn’t currently drive, Helmer said, “The Traverse has definitely helped my mom and the people that take me back and forth to appointments.” He described the Traverse and its customizations, including a removable front passenger seat that allows him to ride up front while staying securely in his wheelchair. “I roll up in the vehicle, get myself [secured], and then we take off,” he said.
Describing his hometown of Johnsonville, South Carolina, as having two stoplights and "probably the smallest McDonald’s you’ve ever seen," Helmer says that having a wheelchair accessible vehicle, "feels amazing because it opens new experiences for me, lets me go to new places, and helps me go downtown."Helmer’s passion for cars and racing is a significant part of his life, and the Traverse has allowed him to embrace this passion. "I'm a big NASCAR fan. I love racing. I go to Darlington Raceway. I go to the local short tracks around where I live. I just love taking [the vehicle] out. So many people comment on my vehicle.”For those looking to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle, Helmer says, “Definitely check out BraunAbility. The vehicles have always been reliable. They always stand behind their product and make sure you’re taken care of.”If you’re looking to purchase a wheelchair accessible SUV like the BraunAbility Chevrolet Traverse or another mobility product, visit your local BraunAbility dealer.
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