Customer Stories – Universal Motion

Samantha and Stuart’s Journey with Universal Motion, Embracing Freedom on the Open Road

james — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:27:26 +0000

Samantha and Stuart, bound together by mutual respect, love, and a shared spirit for adventure, were married in a charming town north of Toronto, Ontario in 2015.

For Samantha and Stuart, both wheelchair users, traveling has always been a meaningful part of their lives. Since their marriage, the couple have driven to Florida 6 times. They greatly enjoy the cross-country drive and the healthful warm climate of the south. These trips also afford them the added bonus of visiting Samantha’s parents, who winter in Florida.

In 2009, Samantha met Marco at the event, People in Motion. However, it was not until 2017, when Samantha and Stuart’s van, a 2006 Chevy Uplander, required servicing that the couple turned to Universal Motion for assistance. For the subsequent four years, Universal Motion serviced their van ensuring its safe operation. During this time, the company became more than just a service provider to them; they became a trusted partner in their journey.

Samantha and Stuart appreciated Universal Motion’s commitment and deep understanding of their specific mobility needs. They felt a strong connection with the team, whose attention to detail and quality service left a lasting impression.

Located in Toronto, Universal Motion is a company dedicated to providing innovative mobility solutions for those of us encountering mobility challenges. Each solution is customized to accommodate individual lifestyles, needs, and budgets, helping clients reclaim their independence and embrace life on the road to the fullest.

In 2019, Samantha and Stuart learned that the frame of their Chevy Uplander was deteriorating. This prompted them to begin their search for a new vehicle. When it came to a trusted company to work with, their decision was simple, Universal Motion stood out as the unparalleled choice.

With the support of Universal Motion, Samantha and Stuart took the time to find a vehicle that would meet both of their needs within their budget. After careful deliberation and consultation with Universal Motion, in 2021, the couple purchased a 2017 Toyota Sienna side-entry van. This vehicle checked all their boxes. The Toyota Sienna allowed either of them to drive or travel as passengers comfortably. It also offered enhanced features, comfort, and spacious interiors, redefining their accessible travel experience. Samantha and Stuart were well equipped to continue doing what they love, exploring the open road, with ease and comfort.

Samantha and Stuart’s experiences with Universal Motion extend beyond the products and services they offer. They found a company that understands their unique needs and consistently delivers top-tier service and solutions. They travel for over an hour to visit Universal Motion’s facility, a testament to the company’s service. As Samantha and Stuart say, “As long as Universal Motion is a company, no matter where we live, we are sticking with them.”

Universal Motion stands at the intersection of innovation, independence, and quality of life. Contact us today and let’s navigate your journey to accessibility together, embracing the open road.

Brewing Independence Martins Story

james — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 08:40:12 +0000

Martin, often described as a free spirit, was born, and raised in England, in the aftermath of World War II. He grew up amidst the reconstruction of London.

Martin was born with a degenerate condition known as “thalidomide embryopathy,” caused by the drug Thalidomide. Thalidomide is a sedative drug that was introduced to the market in the late 1950s. It was often prescribed to women to alleviate morning sickness during pregnancy. Tragically, it was later discovered that Thalidomide resulted in severe limb deficiencies in unborn children, causing underdevelopment or absence of the bones in the arms and legs. By the time the drug was taken off the market in 1961, it had already caused a global health crisis.

Although life had served Martin a bitter brew, he remained a positive and ambitious individual. As a young man, in 1978, driven by this ambition of a new beginning, Martin relocated to Toronto, Canada. Adjusting to life in a new country, far away from loved ones, presented challenges for Martin. Despite these hurdles, it was his lost sense of independence that he missed the most.

That was when he first crossed paths with Universal Motion.

Located in Toronto, Ontario, Universal Motion is a company dedicated to providing innovative solutions to those coping with mobility challenges. Universal Motion’s solutions are tailored to the needs, lifestyle, and budget of the individual and their families. For Martin, Universal Motion’s assessment led to the purchase of a pre-owned side-entry van customized for him to drive safely and comfortably from his wheelchair.

For over five years Martin enjoyed his van and newfound independence. Upon returning to Universal Motion for his first service, company owner Marco Ferrara light-heartedly reminded Martin about the benefits of annual vehicle servicing. Due to the extent of repairs required to his van, Martin decided it was time for an upgrade and traded in his old van for a new one.

This upgrade marked Martin’s first-ever purchase of a new conversion van purchase. Similar to his previous vehicle, a side-entry van was chosen, with the driver’s seat removable so it could be replaced by Martin’s wheelchair. To make Martin’s driving experience more effortless, Universal Motion introduced additional modifications, including ‘Featherlite accelerator hand controls’. These controls are easy to access and require less effort to use.

Martin was thrilled with his new van and sent Marco this note:

“I had reservations about the Featherlite accelerator hand controls, but by the time I drove home, I had found a knack for it and know that I am going to love them. I also wanted to commend you on your team. They felt like family, and their dedication to finishing the van yesterday was brilliant. This is the first new van I’ve ever owned, and it’s even more ‘posh’ than I could have imagined with all its bells and whistles, while comprehensively meeting my mobility needs. A special thank you for that and to your lovely wife for the mini cup of coffee; I think she may have converted me to espresso!”

If you want the world’s best coffee, you need Italian espresso. If you want the world’s best wheelchair van conversion, you need Universal Motion.

Our team at Universal Motion are committed to empowering individuals like Martin and believe that we can redefine what is possible. Contact us and take the first step towards your personal mobility journey.

An Accessible Argo A Vehicle That Restored A Mans Freedom

james — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 08:40:00 +0000

Brendan* was a Canadian logger, an outdoorsman. He spent most of his days outside, harvesting trees and loading them for transportation. On weekends, Brendan hunted among the hundreds of acres of Crown land that surround his home. For Brendan, this lifestyle was freedom.

On June 8th, 2010*, a workplace accident changed the course of Brendan’s life forever. A tree fell on him, crushing his legs and causing severe damage to his internal organs. Doctors were able to save his life, but not his legs. Since then, he has remained determined to get back to what he loves, exploring the outdoors, and hunting.

As a result of his accident, Brendan endured multiple surgeries and years of extensive rehabilitation. It impacted Brendan’s mobility, independence, and ability to do daily activities. He had to adapt and learn a new way to do even the most basic things. Although he faced unimaginable adjustments to his lifestyle, Brendan never lost hope that he could get back to doing what he loved.

About a decade after his accident, Brendan made it his goal to get back to hunting. For months on end, he researched wheelchair products and vehicles to find any suitable option. During his search, he contacted several vehicle companies, all of which turned him away. A wheelchair accessible hunting vehicle was simply not on the market and custom building one was not something traditional accessibility companies had experience with. In a last attempt, Brendan turned to his Occupational Therapist, who was already familiar with the work done by Universal Motion. They approached Universal Motion with the idea of converting an all-terrain vehicle, called the ARGO.

Located in Toronto, Ontario, Universal Motion is a company with expertise in building wheelchair-accessible vehicles, specializing in custom conversions. Universal Motion’s unique ability to create customized mobility solutions was exactly what Brendan needed to turn his vision into a reality.

Marco Ferrara, president of Universal Motion and a consumer himself, and his team worked together with Brendan to determine if they could design a custom conversion vehicle for him. The challenge was immense. They needed to convert an off-road vehicle that would be safe, work in all weather conditions, transport a person in a wheelchair with a companion, handle the weight of the vehicle modifications, and be customized for hunting.

Even without taking mobility into account, off-road vehicles already have a big problem, they are loud, and they scare off the animals. Pre-injury the solution would just have been to ride into the woods, and then walk. Now the vehicle itself would have to be silenced so it wouldn’t scare off the animals.

The first step was to find the right vehicle. Out of the hundreds of vehicles they considered, the 2022 ARGO Conquest Pro (which we will refer to as “the ARGO”) was the most suitable due to its size, durability, and off-road capabilities. Conquest Pro is a commercial model that was created to support the most difficult outdoor jobs.

It took several months of planning to get the details right. Custom materials had to be ordered, which took 6-7 weeks to arrive. It then took 3 weeks of work to complete the conversion. After years of dreaming, months of planning, and weeks of production, the ARGO Conquest Pro was complete.

Brendan made the 8-hour journey from Northern Ontario to Toronto to see if his dream had come to life. He lowered the ramp, made his way inside, and turned on the ARGO. It was at that moment, with tears in his eyes, that Brendan knew he had found his way back to freedom.

It is Universal Motion’s dedication to each client and their commitment and desire to redefine what is possible that turned a hopeful dream into a man’s reality.

To get an exclusive first-hand look at the accessible ARGO hunting vehicle come visit Universal Motion at the Canadian International AutoShow from Friday February 17th – Sunday February 26th or contact us directly for more information.

Learn more about our Wheelchair Accessible ATVs here and start your next adventure with Universal Motion today!