Braunability Gives Teen a Toyota and a Trip of His Dreams

Boy to get trip around NASCAR track


By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer

1:44 PM Friday, October 16, 2009

Kody Harlow, like his NASCAR heroes, refuses to be slowed down.

The 14-year-old may use a wheelchair, but Kody isn’t about to miss out on the thrills of teenage life. And now, he’s got the right vehicle to hit the streets in.

Kody, of Clearcreek Twp., and his family will fly to Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Oct. 16, to meet Sprint Cup racer Jason Leffler and receive a handicapped-equipped van and wheelchair from Leffler’s sponsor, Braun Ability. Leffler will take the family on a lap around the track at the Lowe’s Speedway in the van prior to a race. Kody won the van through an essay contest sponsored by Braun, beating out more than 6,000 entrants.

Kody has mitochondrial disease, a disorder in which the body cannot properly convert food to energy. The disease causes him to have seizures, trouble breathing and to fatigue easily. Because of weakness, he has a difficult time leaving his house without a wheelchair. He recently spent 11 days in the hospital with complication from the disease and his mother, Stephanie, confided if not for the use of the private jet from Braun, he would not be able to make the trip to Charlotte.

“He was confident he was winning,” Stephanie said. “I told him it was great to enter but don’t get your hopes too high. They made me look bad.”

The van, designed by Braun Ability, a leading manufacturer of handicap accessible equipment, is a converted Toyota Sienna. Both the van and wheelchair have been specially painted to match Leffler’s #38 car. The van includes an automatic ramp and removable front seats.

When not watching Nascar, Kody attends Springboro Middle School. He is a devout fan of both Ohio State football and Star Wars.

Kody’s body may be easily fatigued but his spirit is practically unbreakable. Beyond bragging that he knew he would win, he scoffs at the idea he could have missed receiving the van because of his hospital stay. His bravado cracks only once when discussing how the van will help his family.

“It’s go a ramp that’s automatic so it won’t hurt my mom’s back like our old van,” Kody said. Then, checking himself, he added, “It gives me the power to be independent.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.