Cadillac

Geez Ron, I have Multiple Sclerosis and I would never assume that it’s someone else’s responsibility to give me free stuff. And I would never go as far as to accuse them of being hostile to the disabled just because they refuse to be pushed around. It sounds like your accident, despite the physical challenges, has turned you into a wealthy man. If you can afford to drive the finest automobiles then you can pay for your own hand controls. How is it Cadillac’s problem that you were lazy and failed to verify their reimbursement policy. before buying your car. Cadillac makes a fine car and their customer is second to none.
Paraplegic or not, the big bad world doesn’t owe you a thing.
Blessings,
Mike

I am a T-​7 paraplegic and have been in a wheelchair since ’82. During that time, I have purchased over 30 new cars. Every car manufacturer has provided mobility reimbursement for the mobility equipment (hand controls) that I have put in the new cars.
My last three vehicles (2003 Acura CL Type S, 2007 BMW 530i, & 2010 BMW 528i) were from foreign manufacturers. After discussing the purchase of a new car with my wife, we decided that it was time that we «Buy American» and decided the 2013 Cadillac CTS Coupe was the perfect car for me.
I purchased the car, took it to Superior Vans (New Orleans) to have the hand controls put in. While it was in the shop having the hand controls installed, I called GM Mobility to get the forms to apply for the mobility equipment reimbursement. Imagine my surprise when I was told by the agent (Gerardo) that GM did not reimburse for mobility equipment installed on Cadillacs or Impalas. When I asked to speak with a supervisor, Gerardo laughed at me and said «good luck!» The supervisor, after a ten minute wait finally came on the phone. She (Katherine Service Req. #71−1 148 599 663) was outdone that I had not taken Gerardo’s explanation and insisted that I speak with her. Her lack of concern and outright rudeness was amazing. She explained that hand controls «could not be put on Cadillacs or Impalas.»
I explained that a national company (Superior Vans) was putting a hand control on my car as we were speaking. Furthermore, when I travel to Los Angeles to see my daughter, I always rent an Impala from Hertz with a hand control. I asked her if she would buy the car back and she said that was not her problem and that I should take it up with the dealer.
Since my accident in ’82, I have bought Hondas, Mercedes, Acuras, and BMWs. All of these manufacturers have reimbursed me for my mobility equipment. To add insult to injury, recently Don Butler, Vice President — Marketing Cadillac sent me a card thanking me for my purchase of my car. I decided I would look up his telephone number and give him a call. Like so many other companies, Mr. Butler hides behind the corporate veil and it is impossible to get a telephone number or email address for him. It is obvious that he does not want any direct contact with his customers.
In my search, it was ironic to see that Mr. Butler had been recently received an award for his support of «diversity» in the auto industry. Perhaps from Mr. Butler’s perspective, diversity is limited to gender and race. Yet in reality the disabled community is a key element in diversity issues.
I would ask the disabled community to carefully consider before they purchase a GM product. My experience should serve as a warning to others that Cadillac cannot be trusted to do not only the «right» thing, but the necessary things for the disabled community.
Ron G. Cheek, PhD