Self-determined mobility thanks to customized vehicle modifications

Mobility means freedom. For Lena, it means one thing above all else: being able to get around independently—in her daily life, at work, and in her free time. The 19-year-old, who is currently training to become a preschool teacher, has now taken this step. With a custom-adapted Skoda Superb and the Paravan Space Drive driving and steering system, she is now independently mobile.

From driver’s license to her first car

Lena began her driver’s education at the Paravan branch in Heidelberg when she was just 17. Only three weeks later, she held her driver’s license in her hand. “At first, I thought: How am I supposed to manage this so quickly? But by the second week, I already felt confident. It’s amazing what’s technically possible,” she says looking back.

After a break of about a year and a half, getting back behind the wheel went smoothly—even if the first driving lesson was a bit nerve-wracking. “It was also a sense of anticipation,” Lena explains. After just a few hours, she began to feel confident behind the wheel.

Today she drives a Skoda Superb equipped with the Space Drive electronic driving and steering system. The vehicle is controlled via two joysticks—the right one for steering, the left for the gas and brake. A custom-fitted backrest in the driver’s seat provides additional comfort. She operates secondary functions such as turn signals, lights, and the sunroof via the Paravan Touch system as well as voice control. The electric sunroof is one of her personal highlights . The entry and handling have been precisely tailored to her needs: a sliding board makes transferring easier, while the Robot 3000 stows the wheelchair in the trunk at the push of a button.

When choosing a vehicle, Lena was clear: no van, no high-roof station wagon. “It had to be a passenger car—also because of parking.” Since her E-Fix wheelchair cannot be folded, she chose the Skoda Superb, which offers ample space in the rear. She was inspired by videos from a Paravan customer. “I saw the system there and thought: This could work,” she says. She also recommends these videos to friends: “Check out the videos—this is how it works.”

“Mobility is freedom”—moving about independently in everyday life

Lena relies on a wheelchair due to a congenital joint stiffness. This made a customized fit down to the last detail all the more important. “I can have the joystick modified a hundred times—the main thing is that it fits perfectly in the end,” she says, emphasizing the patience and support from the Paravan team.

As her driving experience grew, a routine quickly developed—both while driving and when getting in and out. The next goals are clear: visiting family, meeting friends—and, for the first time, picking up her brother herself, who has been driving her until now. For Lena, mobility is simply freedom—being able to drive somewhere on her own now.

“Knowing that my car is waiting outside and I can just drive off—that’s a wonderful glimpse into the future.” As her driving experience grew, she quickly got into a routine—both behind the wheel and when getting in and out of the car. After a good two months, Lena has already driven about 3,000 kilometers on her own. This has noticeably changed her daily life: she can now plan her routes independently and is much more spontaneous and flexible on the road. What used to require planning is now a matter of course. For her, mobility means one thing above all else: freedom—and a significant boost to her quality of life.