After a horrible accident that left her brother paralyzed, a woman restored a school bus to be used by herself and her sister. Now they can travel together around the globe in it.
Alex Scribner (32), a Florida native who founded a design firm, received a distressing call from her mother. She learned that her brother, video editor Sam Scribner (28) had suffered a broken neck from a hammock accident. He was left without motion in his legs or arms after the tragic accident.
Alex returned home immediately and gave up her career and life to care for her brother. Alex spent three months in hospital, moving from an ICU to an ICU and finally learning how to live in a wheelchair.
After a horrible accident that left her brother paralyzed, a woman restored a school bus to be used by herself and her sister. Now they can travel together around the globe in the bus.
Alex Scribner (32) is from Florida. In 2016, her mother called her to inform her that Sam Scribner had injured her neck in an accident in which he was hanging from a hammock.
After the tragedy, Sam was unable to move his arms and legs. Sam felt devastated at all of the things that he would no longer be able do.
Sam felt devastated after the accident. But his sister was determined to stop Sam from being unable to do the things that he wanted to.
They decided to take a roadtrip together, and she agreed.
Alex purchased a school bus for Sam and spent over $35,000 on repairs to fix it up.
In addition to installing a lift that would allow him to enter and exit the bus by himself, she added a kitchen and a bathroom and provided two beds and a bed for them both.
They now travel together around the globe and live full-time in the bus.
Alex said that Sam, who was still in ICU at the time, was struggling to understand his current life and was also grappling with the many things he wouldn’t get to do.
“And I recall telling him we would be going on a roadtrip. We would see the most ridiculous things, but it would still happen.
His sister was determined to not let him down because of his disabilities. Alex bought the school bus, and she renovated it herself to accommodate Sam’s disabilities.
They were dedicated: The bus was restored by her for more than 35,000 dollars.
They worked together, but they were not alone. They were helped by people all over the world, even companies such as Home-Depot.
“Two Years after the accident, I was his primary caretaker and we shared a home with some of our friends who lived in vans.
“We were fascinated by the idea of a nomadic life, and we knew how to make it work for us.
“So, I began doing research. What initially attracted my attention to the school bus was that we would have more space and we could also be more affordable. [would be]We were able to install a lift for the school bus.
“I presented it to my brothers and to my parents. That is how we purchased our first schoolbus in 2019,’
Alex and Sam worked on the bus together for awhile, when Alex met Sam in wheelchair. She wanted the exact same thing as them but wasn’t able to afford the necessary means. The couple decided to give up the bus and get new starts.
Alex explained that he started renovations on the first bus and got it to a third-complete state when he met someone through Instagram.
“She also was in a wheelchair, and she wanted to live the nomadic lifestyle. But it was really difficult for her.
“And Sam and me had spoken and decided that we wanted to make this a possibility for anyone who wants to have a chance at this kind of life.
“So, we sold her the first bus and we then started with the current bus that we purchased in 2020.
Alex spent over a year fixing up the bus. She did the majority of the work herself.
The renovations cost them more than $35,000 in total. However, it wasn’t all their fault.
Many people from around the world contributed their time and helped to make this happen, including Home-Depot.
Life on the road: Alex and Sam’s bus was officially ready to be moved into in May 2021, with amenities to make Sam’s life on the bus as comfortable as can be
In addition to installing a lift that would allow him to enter and exit the bus by himself, she added a kitchen and a bathroom and provided two beds for the couple.
Still working: Alex is still adding to it, and is now in the process of building a dining area
Alex stated that even though we had neither money nor a plan for the future, when we first thought of the bus, it was a catalyst to our commitment and dedication in completing the project.
We put the first bus on layaway and split it after four months of saving to be able to purchase it for $6,000.
“The second bus had an advantage over the one we bought.
“By Christmas 2020 our story had been a lot more widely known and people were aware of what we were doing. [they]You offered your help.
Home Depot was the largest. Our local store was happy to help and support us.
‘At some point, it set in that this bus isn’t just for traveling but this is something to live in so we didn’t want to skimp on anything.
“We spent about $35,000 alone on renovations, and I did all of it myself in both buses – this was something that we wanted to travel around the country with our brother, who is in a wheelchair.
“I was curious about how things worked, so that I could fix any problems and not have to wait for someone to help me.”
Alex and Sam’s bus was officially ready to be moved into in May 2021, with amenities to make Sam’s life on the bus as comfortable as can be.
The couple is currently out and about: Together they are road-tripping the globe together, while living full-time on the bus.
Alex concluded: ‘People assume that this kind of living would not be possible for someone in Sam’s position, but as you can see that isn’t true. If you desire a nomadic lifestyle, go for it.
Alex said that Sam’s ability to maneuver and move in the bus was what was most important.
‘He can’t do it as comfortably as he could in the house, but because of the lift, he can get it up.
“It was important for Sam to be able access the bathroom so that he could take a bath.
“Selfishly, that worked out because my husband needed a huge bathroom. So I bought a large bathroom. He needed somewhere to go to sleep and I needed somewhere to rest.
“I’m also working on a table with benches on each side, and an open area on the other to allow him in.
“In our kitchen, we did the same thing. There is a drop down countertop that works for him as a multi-use area.
“We designed it to allow him independence and mobility.
‘People assume that this kind of living would not be possible for someone in Sam’s position, but as you can see that isn’t true. You can live a nomad life if that is what you desire.