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Rise Above: How One Man's Search for Mobility Helped the World Get Moving
On a hot summer day in 1947, I was told I would not live to see my 13th birthday ...
Ralph Braun had two sit and wait for that prediction to come true or use those words as fuel to prove it wrong. He never gave a second thought to which path he would choose.
The doctors who diagnosed Ralph with muscular dystrophy at the age of six and handed him his death sentence were wrong. Not only did he live to see his 13th birthday, but he founded BraunAbility, the world s leading manufacturer of mobility vehicles.
It wasn t an easy road. When Ralph couldn t rely on his own two legs anymore and he d outgrown piggyback rides on his father s back, he began using a wheelchair. Life went on, and Ralph was determined to find a way to keep up with it. He wanted an education, a career, and a family, just like anyone else; he just had to work a little harder at it.
First he invented a motorized scooter, the Tri-Wheeler, so he could conserve energy and keep his job as a quality control inspector at a nearby factory. When the factory moved a few miles from his home, he outfitted an old postal Jeep with hand controls and a hydraulic lift so he could have reliable transportation to and from work, no matter the weather. As his mobility increased, so did attention from the disabled community. Fifty years ago he was a young man in a wheelchair who needed to get to work. Today Ralph Braun is CEO of BraunAbility, the largest manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the world. Capitalizing on the age-old saying Necessity is the mother of invention,Braun refused to let his disability hold him back and, in the process, brought independence and mobility to thousands. Rise Above tells the story of how self-reliance, common sense, and a refusal to accept the status quo led to one man s triumph in business and in life.
Ralph quickly realized an underserved and underappreciated market existed, and he developed a wide range of mobility products to meet its needs.
While Ralph Braun s story is a powerful example of true entrepreneurial spirit, this book is more than a successful business model. It is the story of America s evolving attitude toward the disabled community. It is the story of the powerful love of parents determined to give their son every opportunity and chance to succeed in life. It is the story of discovering the unlimited potential within each of us, regardless of what obstacles we may face.
No matter who the reader, this book offers something for everyone. Ralph Braun s story is an inspiration to rise above any challenge.
Ralph Braun had two sit and wait for that prediction to come true or use those words as fuel to prove it wrong. He never gave a second thought to which path he would choose.
The doctors who diagnosed Ralph with muscular dystrophy at the age of six and handed him his death sentence were wrong. Not only did he live to see his 13th birthday, but he founded BraunAbility, the world s leading manufacturer of mobility vehicles.
It wasn t an easy road. When Ralph couldn t rely on his own two legs anymore and he d outgrown piggyback rides on his father s back, he began using a wheelchair. Life went on, and Ralph was determined to find a way to keep up with it. He wanted an education, a career, and a family, just like anyone else; he just had to work a little harder at it.
First he invented a motorized scooter, the Tri-Wheeler, so he could conserve energy and keep his job as a quality control inspector at a nearby factory. When the factory moved a few miles from his home, he outfitted an old postal Jeep with hand controls and a hydraulic lift so he could have reliable transportation to and from work, no matter the weather. As his mobility increased, so did attention from the disabled community. Fifty years ago he was a young man in a wheelchair who needed to get to work. Today Ralph Braun is CEO of BraunAbility, the largest manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the world. Capitalizing on the age-old saying Necessity is the mother of invention,Braun refused to let his disability hold him back and, in the process, brought independence and mobility to thousands. Rise Above tells the story of how self-reliance, common sense, and a refusal to accept the status quo led to one man s triumph in business and in life.
Ralph quickly realized an underserved and underappreciated market existed, and he developed a wide range of mobility products to meet its needs.
While Ralph Braun s story is a powerful example of true entrepreneurial spirit, this book is more than a successful business model. It is the story of America s evolving attitude toward the disabled community. It is the story of the powerful love of parents determined to give their son every opportunity and chance to succeed in life. It is the story of discovering the unlimited potential within each of us, regardless of what obstacles we may face.
No matter who the reader, this book offers something for everyone. Ralph Braun s story is an inspiration to rise above any challenge.
- GenresBiography
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2010
5 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 27, 2023
This book, about Ralph Braun's life, is such an uplifting story of an incredible man who overcame adversity and his own physical disability, became an inventor and entrepreneur out of necessity and gave others the gift of mobility. For the past twenty plus years, I've been fortunate enough to own vans, converted by Braun, and I am forever grateful to him and for my independence. Because of this man, I and many others are able to travel freely just as everyone else and enjoy life again.
April 29, 2014
This book tells the tale of Ralph Braun, who was not content with the grave diagnosis of muscular dystrophy handed down to him as a child and the supposition that he should either be institutionalized and become a research subject or go home to burden his family until his ultimate death. Instead, Braun chose to live his life and make the most of an uncertain future, and when he proved the doctors wrong by living into his teens, his focus on being a productive member of society increased. Realizing that indeed he had become a burden to his father, who was carrying him from place to place once Ralph's legs became too weak to support him, Ralph set about designing a motorized chair/cart that he could use even with limited arm strength.
From that first design and an inspiration coming from within, Braun founded what would become a leading manufacturer of motorized chairs, vehicle lifts, custom vans, and other adaptive equipment that would help others with disabilities find their way in the world. This book focused minimally on the details of Braun's own health and instead told the story of how he built BraunAbility from the ground up. I enjoyed the message he sent that with hard work, a willingness to aim for the top, and a little luck, anything is possible, no matter how you are perceived by others. He faced his struggles not only by being a man in a wheelchair, but also a blue collar worker without a ton of savings to use as equity in his business, and a business which the need for was poorly recognized by many of the white collar people Braun encountered.
A connection I didn't make, because the surname is fairly common, is that Ralph Braun is the father of Todd Braun, who runs a successful NASCAR team, whose cars I have seen race and win often in the last decade or so. Clearly both the business and mechanical expertise have passed from father to son. It was interesting to find that out and has made me think about whether I may have seen Ralph on TV or his company sponsoring one of the race cars. Definitely a good read, perhaps not if you're more interested in the medical than the business side of Braun's story, but I imagine the business side is far more interesting anyway.
From that first design and an inspiration coming from within, Braun founded what would become a leading manufacturer of motorized chairs, vehicle lifts, custom vans, and other adaptive equipment that would help others with disabilities find their way in the world. This book focused minimally on the details of Braun's own health and instead told the story of how he built BraunAbility from the ground up. I enjoyed the message he sent that with hard work, a willingness to aim for the top, and a little luck, anything is possible, no matter how you are perceived by others. He faced his struggles not only by being a man in a wheelchair, but also a blue collar worker without a ton of savings to use as equity in his business, and a business which the need for was poorly recognized by many of the white collar people Braun encountered.
A connection I didn't make, because the surname is fairly common, is that Ralph Braun is the father of Todd Braun, who runs a successful NASCAR team, whose cars I have seen race and win often in the last decade or so. Clearly both the business and mechanical expertise have passed from father to son. It was interesting to find that out and has made me think about whether I may have seen Ralph on TV or his company sponsoring one of the race cars. Definitely a good read, perhaps not if you're more interested in the medical than the business side of Braun's story, but I imagine the business side is far more interesting anyway.
December 31, 2018
We purchased a BraunAbility converted minivan to make it easier to transport my daughter four years ago, and this book was included "free" with the purchase. The four stars are for the story and not the writing (that would've gotten a 3). Normally I don't say these types of stories are inspirational because I don't think disabled people should be considered inspiring just for living their lives, but Braun's story is inspirational because he grew up in a time where the disabled were relegated to the shadows and no accommodations were made to help them be part of society. Ralph, with the support of his family and friends, made the accommodations he needed – first with his Tri-Wheelers, then his converted vehicles – and began selling them to those who needed them too.
May 7, 2019
I am a sucker for biographies. This addiction started when I was a kid. Dad brought a biography of William Six, the guy who "invented" Continental Airlines. You know… From back when flying was a treat?
Anyhow, Ralph Braun is a similar-type guy. He had Spinal Muscular Atrophy, I'm guessing it was type III. He was able to walk when he was six years old, according to this biography. As his physical limitations became more intrusive, he invented ways around the problem. He invented one of the early three wheeled power scooters for sale. For me, more importantly, he invented van lifts and the Braun EnterVan.
This was just a fun and encouraging read. Like all of us, he made good decisions… And others. He learned from those other decisions and made better ones down the road.
Anyhow, Ralph Braun is a similar-type guy. He had Spinal Muscular Atrophy, I'm guessing it was type III. He was able to walk when he was six years old, according to this biography. As his physical limitations became more intrusive, he invented ways around the problem. He invented one of the early three wheeled power scooters for sale. For me, more importantly, he invented van lifts and the Braun EnterVan.
This was just a fun and encouraging read. Like all of us, he made good decisions… And others. He learned from those other decisions and made better ones down the road.
March 8, 2021
Such a moving and inspiring man and story...
This book, about Ralph Braun's life, is such an uplifting story of an incredible man who overcame adversity and his own physical disability, became an inventor and entrepreneur out of necessity and gave countless others the gift of mobility. For the past twenty plus years, I've been fortunate enough to own handicap equipped vans, converted by Braun, and I am forever grateful to him and for my independence. Because of this man, I and many others are able to travel freely just as everyone else and enjoy life again.
This book, about Ralph Braun's life, is such an uplifting story of an incredible man who overcame adversity and his own physical disability, became an inventor and entrepreneur out of necessity and gave countless others the gift of mobility. For the past twenty plus years, I've been fortunate enough to own handicap equipped vans, converted by Braun, and I am forever grateful to him and for my independence. Because of this man, I and many others are able to travel freely just as everyone else and enjoy life again.
July 16, 2011
I had a hard time getting into this book. The first 24 pages caused me to put it down and it took awhile to go back to it. The problem was that the author doesn't just tell the straightforward story of his parents and his life as a child but it jumps back and forth between that and talking about how great his company is. For me, reading a book he has self-published book through the company he is praising just sounded way too egotistical.
Then...I picked up the book again, deteremined to finish it. I loved reading how the author got his ideas, scrounged parts and, with the help of his friends, family and mentors, not only created a marketable product that helped Ralph, but became CEO of a very successful company. Then, I didn't mind reading about how proud he was of the company.
I was left wondering if the author continued on to college (business degree maybe?). And, was the prognosis in 1947 or 1946? See the first paragraph (1947) and p. 192.
I will recommend this book to my brother, an engineer who loves to work on cars and problem solve or any budding entrepreneur who wants to do it his way.
This advanced copy was received at no-charge through Goodreads.com giveaway program.
Then...I picked up the book again, deteremined to finish it. I loved reading how the author got his ideas, scrounged parts and, with the help of his friends, family and mentors, not only created a marketable product that helped Ralph, but became CEO of a very successful company. Then, I didn't mind reading about how proud he was of the company.
I was left wondering if the author continued on to college (business degree maybe?). And, was the prognosis in 1947 or 1946? See the first paragraph (1947) and p. 192.
I will recommend this book to my brother, an engineer who loves to work on cars and problem solve or any budding entrepreneur who wants to do it his way.
This advanced copy was received at no-charge through Goodreads.com giveaway program.
November 5, 2010
What an inspiring book!
Ralph Braun was born in 1947. At age 6 he was told that he would not live to the age of 13 because he had muscular dystrophy. Ralph never let that get him down. He decided that he would just live.
Ralph’s parents were great, they gave him all the tools he needed to succeed in life. His dad even carried Ralph around on his back piggy~back style when he couldn’t walk. Eventually Ralph ended up in a wheelchair, but that didn’t stop him from getting around.
You will want to read this book to find out how Ralph lived past the age of 13, started his own company and has helped countless others live better lives! Ralph has helped people in wheelchairs be more mobile.
This is truly an uplifting inspiring book that can really change your prospective on life!
You can find out more about Ralph’s business at Braunability.
Ralph Braun was born in 1947. At age 6 he was told that he would not live to the age of 13 because he had muscular dystrophy. Ralph never let that get him down. He decided that he would just live.
Ralph’s parents were great, they gave him all the tools he needed to succeed in life. His dad even carried Ralph around on his back piggy~back style when he couldn’t walk. Eventually Ralph ended up in a wheelchair, but that didn’t stop him from getting around.
You will want to read this book to find out how Ralph lived past the age of 13, started his own company and has helped countless others live better lives! Ralph has helped people in wheelchairs be more mobile.
This is truly an uplifting inspiring book that can really change your prospective on life!
You can find out more about Ralph’s business at Braunability.
November 1, 2010
Rise Above is a truly inspiring piece of work. I love Ralph's outlook on life and his inability to throw in the towel. It's refreshing books like this that remind me why I love reading so much. I recommend that everyone reads this book, because we all have something in our life that could hold us back, the question is, will you let it?
May 8, 2011
Interesting and heartbreaking story that really lifts the spirit and makes you motivated to do better and work harder. Ralph is a great man with a lot of heart. He managed to meet a previously unaddressed need and ultimately created an entire industry dedicated to Americans who are disabled.
(client)
(client)
February 2, 2016
This man endures a physical challenge. He designs and builds for his own needs then makes the items available for veterans in need as well as the man on the street who encounters accidents, disease and aging. He becomes a very successful business man drawing on his own lifes experiences.
August 23, 2011
What a great book. This was truly an inspiring book. I love books were people are able to overcome hardships and live a great life!
October 1, 2012
Very inspirational.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews