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Empower your independence with the right mobility solution.
Call 877-275-4907 to connect with a MobilityWorks specialist and explore options that support your goals, just like Julia and Jessica, who are living life on their terms with the freedom of accessible travel.

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When twins Julia and Jessica Bonamassa first started driving, they shared a 2017 Toyota Sienna with adaptive controls.

“We had to coordinate everything,” said Julia. “It worked for a while because we had similar friend groups and enjoy similar activities, but it definitely had its challenges.”

Eventually, they needed more independence and worked with MobilityWorks to purchase a second van — a 2020 Toyota Sienna with an in-floor ramp.

A big help early on was connecting with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS).

“When we were in high school, we had to get mobility scooters. It was just too much to walk from one end to the other in five minutes between classes,” Julia explained. “DVRS helped us get connected with MobilityWorks.”

When asked about their favorite features on their vans, Jessica said, “I would say the 6-Way driving seat, and we have a spinner knob on the steering wheel. The mechanics even rigged up a cushion that goes on the door so we can rest our arms on that, and it kind of helps us be able to control the steering wheel better.”

Julia added, “I love that inside the van there are multiple buttons to deploy the ramp. It allows a little bit more independence and I think it’s a really good functional feature for anyone in the car.”

While they’re pros now, the sisters say learning adaptive driving wasn’t easy.

“I was so intimidated at first,” Jessica admitted. “The whole contraption is for the gas and break, but also has your blinker…I did not want to drive at all.”

But they encourage others to stay open-minded.

“You might limit yourself and think that you can’t drive, but I’ve seen so many different options for people of all ability types and strengths,” Julia said.

Their advice? Think long-term.

“We have muscular dystrophy, so that’s a progressive condition that quite frankly, might never stop progressing,” said Julia. “So one of the decisions we made was to do the reduced steering. It was a good decision looking back, just to accommodate for some future needs. Communication is key because even if your needs change in the future, there’s always something that can be done.”

Since getting their own vehicles, Julia and Jessica’s world has opened up.

“We’re avid concert-goers — at least four or five a year,” said Julia. “We’ve taken the van to Maine, Niagara Falls, DC for advocacy work, and even down to Florida.”

Now living independently and working full-time, they say their vehicles were life-changing.

“This was the event that we were able to completely blossom from,” said Jessica. ” We both have our own apartments now, we plan our own vacations, we’ve completed our college degrees, Julia’s going to be going to law school and furthering her education. We both have jobs and our own lives…and our cars. That’s where it all started.”

Reflecting on their experience, Jessica emphasized the importance of staying patient throughout the process.

“It takes time to get the vehicle and there’s a lot of unknowns, but one thing that is certain is that once you have a vehicle that you can drive, that is your ticket to independence,” she said.

We are honored to have been part of Julia and Jessica’s journey—and we can’t wait to see where their wheels take them next!

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