Getting around after a traumatic brain injury can sometimes be more difficult than it looks.
For some TBI survivors, driving may no longer be comfortable or possible. Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sensory overload, mobility challenges, or simply the stress of navigating traffic can make transportation harder.
For many people in Los Angeles, Access is an important transportation resource.
But what happens when you need another option?
One service worth knowing about is Butterfli.
🚗 What Is Butterfli?
Butterfli is an assisted transportation service that provides on-demand and scheduled transportation for people with mobility challenges and others who need transportation assistance.
Unlike a program that requires you to qualify for a specific disability transportation program, Butterfli says its regular service is open to the public and does not require qualification.
This can make Butterfli another option to consider when Access is not the right fit for a particular trip.
🧠 Why Transportation Matters After Brain Injury
Transportation is about more than getting from one address to another.
For a TBI survivor, getting to a doctor’s appointment, visiting family, going shopping, or participating in an activity can require a lot of planning and energy.
You may need to think about:
🔋 How much energy you have that day
🧠 How much concentration the trip requires
🚗 Whether driving is safe and comfortable for you
🔊 How much noise and stimulation you can tolerate
🤝 Whether you need assistance
📅 How much time you need to prepare
Having transportation choices can make it easier to plan around these needs.
🚪 Door-to-Door Transportation
One feature that may be particularly useful for some TBI survivors is Butterfli’s ambulatory door-to-door service.
Butterfli describes this service as being for passengers who can walk independently or with minimal assistance. The company also states that its drivers can assist passengers to the door when needed.
For someone who becomes fatigued easily, this can be an important consideration.
You may not need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
You may simply need transportation that provides a little more assistance from pickup to destination.
♿ Transportation for Different Mobility Needs
Butterfli also offers wheelchair-accessible vehicles for people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices, as well as gurney-accessible transportation for passengers who need to remain lying down during transit but do not require emergency medical care.
This means the service can accommodate different transportation needs.
For TBI survivors whose mobility needs have changed, having different vehicle options can be helpful.
📱 How Do You Book a Butterfli Ride?
Butterfli says rides can be booked through its website, app, or by phone.
The company operates 24/7, and its current FAQ says riders can book both one-way and round trips.
Butterfli’s booking process includes requesting the ride, receiving confirmation, having a driver and vehicle assigned, and receiving a notification when the driver arrives. The driver can assist the passenger into and out of the vehicle when needed.
For someone with a brain injury, having the details organized before booking may make the process easier.
You may want to have ready:
📍 Pickup address
📍 Destination
📅 Date
⏰ Pickup time
♿ Mobility needs
🤝 Whether a companion is coming
📝 Any special information the driver should know
🤝 Can Someone Come With You?
Butterfli says riders can bring a companion and can also book round trips.
For some TBI survivors, having a trusted person along can make transportation less stressful.
A companion may help with communication, directions, belongings, or simply provide reassurance during the trip.
🌴 Where Does Butterfli Operate?
Butterfli currently states that its regular transportation service operates throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial Counties.
Because service areas and availability can change, it is a good idea to check the current service area when planning a trip.
💰 What Does It Cost?
Butterfli states that its regular service rates vary depending on the level of service.
The company says riders can view a quote through its website or app when booking.
This is important to keep in mind when comparing transportation options.
Butterfli’s regular service is different from the subsidized Access for All program that Butterfli also operates in certain areas. The Access for All program has its own eligibility requirements, service areas, and pricing.
This article is about Butterfli’s regular transportation service as another option, not the Access for All program.
🌱 Another Option Does Not Mean Replacing Access
Access can be an important resource.
The point is not that one transportation service should replace another.
The point is that having more than one option can be valuable.
There may be days when Access works well.
There may be other situations when another transportation service is more convenient or better suited to your needs.
Having choices can give survivors and caregivers more flexibility.
💗 Transportation Can Support Independence
After a brain injury, independence may look different than it did before.
Maybe you cannot drive.
Maybe you need someone to accompany you.
Maybe you need a vehicle that can accommodate your mobility needs.
Maybe you simply need a transportation service that reduces some of the stress involved in getting from one place to another.
Using transportation assistance does not mean you have lost your independence.
Sometimes independence means finding the resources that allow you to keep participating in life.
You can still go to appointments.
You can still visit friends.
You can still go shopping.
You can still participate in your community.
You may simply need a different way to get there.
💗 Love Love Brain Note
Every brain injury is different, and transportation needs can vary from person to person.
Butterfli is one transportation option that TBI survivors and caregivers may want to explore in addition to Access.
Before booking, check the current service area, pricing, vehicle availability, and whether the level of assistance provided meets your individual needs.
For current information and booking:
Having a brain injury may change how you get there. It does not mean you have to stop going. 🧠💗
Do you Love Love YOUR Brain?