New accessible van makes travel easier for Grand Falls-Windsor family

A new red van sits in driveway of Erica Billings’ Grand Falls-Windsor home. 
It shines brightly in the fading sun as Billings and her son Joel Stride give the accessible van a test run. 
Nine-year-old Joel has cerebral palsy and requires the use of a wheelchair to get around. On this evening, Billings slides the passenger side door away and unfolds a ramp that extends to the asphalt of the driveway. 
A slight push and Joel’s wheelchair is up over the ramp and into the vehicle as a smile spreads across Billings’ face. 
Normally, this process would unfold in a number of steps. Billings would have to lift Joel – who weighs upwards of 55 pounds – out of his
wheelchair and into the seat, then place the almost 50-pound wheelchair into the back of the vehicle. 
When they reached their destination, the tedious process would be repeated.
Joel, who loves the outdoors, last week attended nature camp as he has the last two summers. With relative ease Billings was able to load and unload her son. 
“It really makes our lives easier, so it's really exciting to get the van,” she said. “It is a huge difference in dropping him off."
The van is the result of months of fundraising and donations made from people across the province to help the family achieve their goal. 
The van also has a feature she did not expect. Both the passenger and driver seats can be removed. 
This means that when Joel is older he can sit in the front with his mother or even drive should the opportunity arise. 
“I kind of had myself psyched up for how exciting this was going to be,” said Billings.
"When Joel the van he said, 'I love my new van.'"