SuperHuman - Ralph Braun

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Nowadays, we have fantastic facilities for wheelchair users, allowing a fantastic quality of life for millions of disabled people around the world. In this blog post, we introduce you to one of the leading influencers of the mobility industry, Ralph Braun. An incredible man who threw aside his limitations, and used his skills and creativity to build a better life for others.
Enjoy!

At the age of six, Ralph Braun was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a degenerative condition. By the age of 14, he was using a wheelchair full time. However, this was the beginning of great things for this budding entrepreneur. Throughout his life, he would use his disability for good, using his skills and ingenuity to enhance and revolutionise the lives of millions around the world through his mobility business…

...it all started when he built a motorised wagon to help him get around, with the help of his father, when he was fifteen. It’s amazing to see how his limitations could create opportunities to use resourcefulness and creativity that would create massive change!

In 1963, Braun launched Save-A-Step manufacturing, to build the first ever motorised scooter. Three years later, the company produced the world’s first wheelchair accessible vehicle.

​In 1972, Save-A-Step changed its name to Braun Corporation.

In the early 90s, Braun created the first wheelchair accessible minivan, which was named the Entervan. In 1999, Braun purchased Crow River Industries, a manufacturer of wheelchair platforms. ​

All the way through the 2000s, and into the 2010s, Braun continued to acquire a number of different mobility companies in order to expand their capabilities and general influence across the world. In May 2012, Ralph Braun was officially named a Champion of Change by President Barack Obama. ​