Our so-called van life evolved from a basic need for a super-large vehicle to becoming a respite from grief to growing into a way for us to pay tribute to our family. As a family of five with two medically fragile daughters, life on the road never seemed attainable.

We waited a year a half to see the delivery truck with our custom-ordered 2015 4x4 Sprinter van in our driveway.

It was the largest Sprinter we could get. Outfitted with five seats, a bathroom and a wheelchair lift, our oldest daughter, Gwen and our youngest daughter, Eliza could now travel comfortably in their wheelchairs (in addition to ourselves, our son, Vye, and a caregiver or two).

Before Sprinter (BS), we took our first road trip as a family in two separate wheelchair-accessible rental vehicles. The new Sprinter would afford us the luxury of traveling together in a way we’d never experienced before.

After Sprinter (AS) our family had its first chance to experience the country in ways we’d never dreamed was possible. The van served not only as a vehicle to get us to and from medical appointments eight hours from home, but also gave us the freedom to travel for leisure - a family first!