Walk-N-Roll for Spina Bifida

41st Annual Falmouth Road Race-Sunday, August 11

Charity numbers available on Team SBAGNE!

Team SBAGNE wants you to join our team as we run the 7.1 miles from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights in support of the Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England. If you are interested in running and fundraising for SBAGNE, contact Wendy Potts at wpotts@SBAGreaterNE.org

Team SBAGNE has begun training for the 41st running of the Falmouth Road Race! Help them meet their fundraising goal of $45,000.

Spina Bifida is a congenital defect in which part of one or more vertebrae (the bone structure that surrounds the spinal column), fail, to develop completely, leaving part of the spinal cord exposed. It can occur anywhere on the spine but is most common in the lower back. The severity of the condition depends on how much nerve tissue is exposed. Frequently special adaptations on a vehicle are necessary for independent driving. The person with spina bifida may also have impairments in the ~areas of vision, perception (how the brain interprets what the eyes see) or learning. Adaptive driving equipment is frequently used for physical problems. A spinner knob and hand controls can be used if a person is unable to use either foot for gas or brake. Specialized modifications can also allow a person to transfer to the driver’s seat or drive from the wheelchair in a van or minivan.

Common factors that can affect safe driving:

• Limited range of motion and strength
• Difficulty with coordinated movements
• Visual impairments (poor acuity)
• Trouble visually scanning or tracking quickly
• Learning difficulties
• Impaired judgment in complex situations
• Slow processing and reaction time

A driver rehabilitation evaluation will examine the strengths and weaknesses of each individual as related to the driving task. The goal is independent, safe driving. No modifications or vehicle selection should be made until the person has completed a driver evaluation.

If you or those that drive with you notice any of the above warning signs and need a driving evaluation, give us a call at 508-697-6006 and we can, help you with with knowledge about medical conditions, and help with a comprehensive evaluation and determine your ability to drive. 

• Visual Perception
• Functional Ability
• Reaction Time
• Behind-the-wheel evaluation

Long Life Rust Proofing For Wheelchair Vans

7 year old Braun Wheelchair van in New England. Customer didn't believe in rust proofing

wheelchair vans rust, corrosion, long life and rust proofing in new england

Vehicles today are subject to rust and corrosion due to moisture, humidity, tons of road salt and other airborne pollutants that can cause rapid deterioration of your wheelchair van. If neglected, the damages can make your mobility investment of little value.  The thousands of yearly miles, environments and exposure to the elements of larger vehicles means they are alot more likely to suffer from the effects of corrosion. Correct rustproofing on a regular basis can ensure that your vehicle does not suffer from corrosion related vehicle downtime and keep your van from falling apart.

If you consider that new vehicles undergo thousands of spot welds and numerous bends and folds during assembly; this process damages the automobile coating systems, exposing these panels to corrosion. Besides body-panel damage, certain mechanical parts are also at risk – suspension mounts, hood-locking mechanisms, door hinges, brake cables – which are all susceptible to the damaging effects of rust on your wheelchair van.

To protect your vehicle against corrosion our rust proofing formula does more than just cover the metal required. A rust proofing product must be applied as a high-pressured spray, ensuring protection to your vehicle’s most critical areas by penetrating, displacing existing moisture and protecting the many vulnerable crevices of your automobile.

Benefits of rust treatment

Prevention is better than cure. There are a number of products that can offer prevention against rust. Products are available either as oils, waxes, fluids and coatings.  The range is vast. Our rust prevention processes, products, plan and application have been found to be very effective and developed over more than 25 years and still remain affordable.

We are the only mobility dealer in New England to offer this service.

Our rust proofing processes are ever evolving and have been for more than 25 years.

As seen in this picture the van has heavy rust and metal fatigue due to a lack of maintenance.

Once it's this bad there's not much we can do other than replace the van

Customer dealt with a different adaptive mobility equipment dealer that didn't offer rust proofing

Lou Gehrig's Disease: Help Find a Cure

HELP FIND A CURE FOR Lou Gehrig’s Disease UMASS ALS CHAMPION FUND

VMi New England mourns the passing of former Massachusetts Governor A. Paul Cellucci, a devoted public servant who dedicated the final chapter of his life to raising funds to support the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s research into a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Please give anything you can to help continue this important research.

In recognition of the critical need for new treatments for ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the UMass ALS Champion Fund is a movement to drive awareness and funding for the ALS breakthroughs happening at UMass Medical School (UMMS) and in the laboratory of Robert H. Brown, Jr., DPhil, MD one of the world’s leading and most promising ALS researchers.

The Champion Fund aims to help Dr. Brown and his colleagues pursue ALS research leads and breakthroughs right now that might otherwise take years to attract funding from traditional sources. As a result, this Fund will make researchers at UMMS better prepared to “seize the moment” when highly promising ALS discoveries are made.

Dr. Brown is widely recognized as a pioneer in neurodegenerative disease research and for 30 years has dedicated his career to unlocking the secrets of ALS, a degenerative disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness, leading to paralysis and eventually death. There is currently no treatment to stop or reverse ALS. Brown has been a leading visionary for ALS treatment and part of nearly every fundamental ALS breakthrough to-date, including the identification of mutations in a gene that is responsible for the rare, familial form of the disease. Brown’s work has opened a window into ALS that has drastically changed the research landscape and provided patients and loved ones touched by ALS with something very rare: hope.

The Champion Fund aims to extend and supplement the already great fundraising initiatives benefiting UMMS. Dr. Brown and team has been fortunate to receive support from a diversity of groups, including the Massachusetts-based Angel Fund and national partner CVS Pharmacy, both of which have been raising money for UMMS and acting as champions in the fight against ALS for more than 10 years. The Champion Fund will complement and extend those funding sources to augment the overall effort..

Now is the time. There is hope. But, victories are a team effort. Join us – become a champion and help fight back against ALS.

View the list of the campaign’s Honorary Co-chairs.

Veterans Inc. 8th Annual Stand Down

Veterans Inc. has been serving Veterans and their families across America for 20 years, with an award-winning model that affirms dignity and re-establishes independence.

Their mission is to provide safe housing, hot meals, and a variety of services that address the causes of homelessness. We help veterans re-gain control of their lives and, ultimately, we save lives.

Service Provider Registration

More than 40 providers to participate: representing non-profits, for-profits, and government agencies offering veterans’ services, health & human services, and much more. Veterans at the event will be able to obtain FREE food, clothing, personal care items, haircuts, massages, acupuncture, counseling, legal services; and services and  advice related to employment & training, housing, healthcare, and a career fair  on Friday. Veterans should bring a DD-214 or VA card as proof of veteran status.

D-Day

D-Day Invasion at Normandy – June 6, 1944

Invasion at Normandy – June 6, 1944

Invasion Date

June 6, 1944 – The D in D-Day stands for “day” since the final invasion date was unknown and weather dependent.

Allied Forces

156,000 Allied troops  from The United States, The United Kingdom, Canada, Free France and Norway

Areas of Invasion

The Allied code names for the beaches along the 50-mile stretch of Normandy coast targeted for landing were Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Omaha was the costliest beach in terms of Allied casualties.

The Armada

5,000 ships and landing craft

50,000 vehicles

11,000 planes

Commanders

United States – Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley

The United Kingdom – Bernard Law Montgomery, Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Arthur Tedder, Miles Dempsey, Bertram Ramsay

Germany – Erwin Rommel, Gerd von Rundstedt, Friedrich Dollmann

Casualties

Numbers represent total killed, wounded, missing or captured

United States – 6,603 (1,465 killed)

United Kingdom – 2,700

Canada – 1,074 (359 fatal)

Germany – Estimated between 4,000 – 9,000

The Outcome

By June 11, with the beachheads firmly secured, more than 326,000 troops had crossed with more than 100,000 tons of military equipment. Paris was liberated on August 25. Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945.

Veterans Today

The number of remaining D-Day vets is estimated anywhere between 8,000 and 60,000. The Veterans Administration has detailed numbers on total WWII vets remaining available at www.nationalww2museum.org/the-greatest-generation

The National World War II Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world – why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today.  Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America’s National World War II Museum, it celebrates the American Spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who fought on the battlefront and the Home Front. For more information, call 877-813-3329 or 504-527-6012 or visit www.nationalww2museum.org. Follow us on Twitter atWWIImuseum or visit our Facebook fan page.

      

Veterans With Disabilities

Veterans with Disabilities – What Vmi New England Can Do For You

There are currently more than 25 million veterans in the United States.  If you or a family member is a disabled veteran, there are some exciting new transportation options available to you. Vmi New England, a leader in the wheelchair accessible vehicle market, is proud to offer veterans accessible vehicles with eligible benefits.  Veterans or their family members may be eligible for some important Veteran’s Administration benefits regarding adaptive vehicles.

The VA offers veterans a one-time vehicle grant of $18,900 (as of October 1, 2011).  This is available for 100% service-connected veterans, and can be applied one time towards a modified wheelchair van.  In addition, 100% service-connected veterans are also eligible for one handicap vehicle conversion every two years or two conversions every four years. VMi New England and Automotive Innovations offers many wheelchair accessible vehicles to choose from when using your VA benefits.

There are some advantages to using these Veteran’s Administration benefits.  Those who trade in their vehicles every two years usually have fewer out-of-pocket expenses getting a new accessible vehicle than those who trade later on.  It is important to know that the VA uses a depreciation schedule for pre-owned wheelchair vans when considering reimbursement.

The VA program for handicap accessible vehicles could allow you to purchase a two year old Dodge Grand Caravan with less than 24,000 miles, a new VMI conversion package with a vehicle trade-in, for absolutely no additional payments required.  This is just one example of how the program can work for you.

In addition to these VA benefits, veterans are also often eligible for reimbursement for OEM equipment included in the vehicle.  Some of these options include air conditioning, power windows, and power locks.  These options could total as much as $3,000, as a driver set-up or $780 as a passenger set-up.

The Service for those who Served Program was established by Jim Sanders to offer free operational maintenance services on adaptive equipment for veterans. How the Service for those who Served Program works is every six months, any disabled Veteran who has received automotive adaptive equipment funded by the Veteran’s Administration may bring their handicap van to Automotive Innovations Bridgewater, MA location for a free accessibility and maintenance check.

To learn more about Veteran benefits and to see which wheelchair accessible vehicle works best for you, please contact us.

508-697-6006

info@VMiNewEngland.com

How to Buy a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle in New England and Save Time and Money

How to Buy a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle in New England and Save Time and Money

Maintenance is an inevitability with any vehicle, and the specialized parts of any wheelchair accessible vehicles can make finding a location for service and repairs difficult. This is not an issue with Vmi New England and Automotive Innovations. For over 25 years we have received specialized training in repairing and servicing wheelchair-accessible vehicles, wheelchair ramps and lifts, and any other accessory, no matter the model. A relationship with us can be the first step to maintaining a properly functioning vehicle.

A wheelchair accessible vehicle is a specialty vehicle and is different from your neighbor’s sedan. Purchasing online can make finding a repair and maintenance location a less straightforward process. A purchase from a Vmi New England and Automotive Innovations is a promise for maintenance at the same location (we have been in he same town for over 20 years).

No two people or wheelchairs are the same, and with that no two vehicles are the same. With the hundreds of options available for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, they can be made to fit any variety of needs. How do I know what options I want, what height I need my vehicle to be, or what preferences I have? Find out first hand what van or ramp combination fits you best. Come try a VMI Summit, a VMI Northstar Toyota Sienna 360 or VMI Honda Odyssey may fit you better than a  BraunAbility Toyota with Quiet Drive and or the new BraunAbility Honda Odyssey? 

Find out and see first hand why grey market online converted vans are not the value they might appear to be

Nothing wrong with this van according to several internet mobility experts

Online shopping limits the buyer to taking the word of the seller at face value, but at Vmi New England all of these options can be tried out firsthand. 

It is important that an investment as big as a mobility vehicle is perfect for you, so it is a good idea to try out what fits your style best.

Vmi New England will work closely with you to help determine how you can qualify for the maximum amount of available manufacturer rebates as well as state & federal tax deductions. Both are excellent ways to save money, but the rules & requirements can be difficult to navigate if you don’t have experience applying for them. We’ve helped many customers receive these incentives and know exactly which steps you need to take to ensure the best chance of receiving them yourself. That level of service is hard to match online.

The internet is a fantastic research tool and can help you decide what vehicle is perfect for you, but no one vehicle is a one-size-fits-all match. 

Come visit Vmi New England where everyday is a Abilities Expo we are just a short ride away from Boson and try all the best mobility vehicles available out personally to make sure it is the perfect one for you. 

It is your life, your money, and you should get a vehicle that comes with great service, guaranteed maintenance, and fits like a glove.

Need some information on how to make your vehicle wheelchair accessible or upgraded with the latest and most convenient features? 

info@vminewengland.com

508-697-6006