When their ever-vibrant mother was suddenly diagnosed with a terminal illness, one family placed their hopes in a little-known Toyota initiative.
This series showcases Toyota’s welfare-related initiatives. In this article, we share the story of one family and a woman nearing the end of her life.
This unlikely story emerged from an initiative that Toyota has been quietly working on for some time.
More than a mild stroke
“ loved going out, always in her beloved yellow Sienta,” tells Yukio Ohara, who runs a hair salon in Maebashi City, Gunma, with his father, Saichi.
His mother was always active and ready for a chat. Then one day, numbness in her legs prompted a hospital visit that turned their world upside down.
Yukio
At first, we figured it was a mild stroke and called an ambulance, but the examination found cancer all through her body... It had spread to her spinal cord, which made walking difficult, and she was told she had a year to live.
Though stunned by this sudden turn of events, the family gradually turned to making the most of the time left by giving their mother the outings she cherished so much.
What to do with a brand-new car
The family hair salon was renovated in 2021, with ramps installed as part of the wheelchair-accessible design.
Saichi
The renovations finished right around the time she began using a wheelchair. We were doing it for our customers—I never imagined it would be for my wife.
As she lost the use of her legs and her strength declined, we tried to figure out how she could still enjoy outings.
Since taking trips in a regular car had become difficult, buying a welfare vehicle seemed like the only option. But having just purchased the beloved yellow Sienta, the family faced a tough decision.
They shared their concerns with Kazuhiro Kano of Toyota Corolla Gunma, a local dealer with whom they had always enjoyed a friendly relationship.
Kazuhiro Kano, Toyota Corolla Gunma
When I heard about the prognosis, I couldn’t believe it. She was such a vibrant person.
When they came to us, I remembered receiving information from Toyota about rotating seats that could be retrofitted to existing vehicles, rather than being installed as a factory option. Now, they are available nationwide as a genuine retrofit product, but at the time, they had just started being trialed in Gunma.
Turn Tilt Seats allow for easier entry into the car, without the need to step up, by turning outward from the door. From there, they also tilt forward, allowing the rider to sit deep in the seat without lifting their feet off the ground, eliminating the need for repositioning by a caregiver.
Similarly, getting out of the vehicle is also easier, since both feet come down to the ground. The seats are designed to be self-operated, without requiring assistance, and can be installed on either the driver’s or passenger’s side. As passenger seats, they can even be retrofitted to existing vehicles.
Aside from the convenience, the biggest benefit is that users don’t need to buy a specialized welfare vehicle.
Saichi
I thought I would be able to help her get in and out of the car, but at my age that too proved a challenge.
We didn’t have the means to buy another car, and in any case, we couldn’t afford to wait for delivery. Replacing a car is not something you can do overnight, so we decided simply to change the seat.
There was also another factor behind their decision.
Yukio
As much as it was for mom, I also wanted to make things easier for my father as the caregiver. I felt it would reduce the burden of care, not just on trips but also everyday visits to the hospital.
The family’s regular car was transformed to allow their mother easier access. Yet no one foresaw what happened next. She refused to leave home.