So it's clear to me that everyone has things in life that their not good at! The good lord can't make us good at everything ya know! There are two things in life everyone I know can agree I'm terrible at: driving and cooking! I like to think I'm an okay driver although many people I know including my mom and best friend would disagree!
You know that deep breath noise people make when they think you’re going to hit the car in front of you? Well they both do it when they drive with me! They are completely justified: my mom was in the car when I drove hand controls for the first time with no previous instruction on how they work and my best friend was the first person to go on the freeway with me!
I completely and openly admit I'm a horrible cook which I'll talk about in my next blog but as far as driving goes I am proud to say I can do it and you can too! It's absolutely possible for a disabled person to drive with only a few minor adjustments!
The first step is to find a car that you like and that most importantly fits all your needs. I wanted a challenger but ended up w a ford focus and then a matrix. The challenger clearly didn't fit my needs because it is a huge beast! Plus it's kind of important to be able to see the person sitting in the car and u couldn't even tell I was in the car I was so low to the ground! Think about stuff like 4 door or 2, big trunk space, room for wheelchair or walker etc, plus is it spacious enough to fit people in the car once you have all your stuff in it!
The next step after you buy a car is to find a place in your area that can add adaptations to your car! This is important because depending on what you need depends on the car size. But anyway that's just another element to consider. It's important to realize that adaptations can be installed in any car! Most of the time installation just requires attachment to the regular foot pedals already in the car. So find a mobility place in your area by looking in the phone book, calling your doctor or calling your medical insurance 800 number. I did the last option and they mailed me a list of dealers near my hometown! I finally settled on a place in Berkeley!
You know that deep breath noise people make when they think you’re going to hit the car in front of you? Well they both do it when they drive with me! They are completely justified: my mom was in the car when I drove hand controls for the first time with no previous instruction on how they work and my best friend was the first person to go on the freeway with me!
I completely and openly admit I'm a horrible cook which I'll talk about in my next blog but as far as driving goes I am proud to say I can do it and you can too! It's absolutely possible for a disabled person to drive with only a few minor adjustments!
The first step is to find a car that you like and that most importantly fits all your needs. I wanted a challenger but ended up w a ford focus and then a matrix. The challenger clearly didn't fit my needs because it is a huge beast! Plus it's kind of important to be able to see the person sitting in the car and u couldn't even tell I was in the car I was so low to the ground! Think about stuff like 4 door or 2, big trunk space, room for wheelchair or walker etc, plus is it spacious enough to fit people in the car once you have all your stuff in it!
The next step after you buy a car is to find a place in your area that can add adaptations to your car! This is important because depending on what you need depends on the car size. But anyway that's just another element to consider. It's important to realize that adaptations can be installed in any car! Most of the time installation just requires attachment to the regular foot pedals already in the car. So find a mobility place in your area by looking in the phone book, calling your doctor or calling your medical insurance 800 number. I did the last option and they mailed me a list of dealers near my hometown! I finally settled on a place in Berkeley!
Make an appointment for a consultation to discuss your options and give them a clear idea what your needs are! This is important because there are a huge variety of options for adaptations. There are ramps, lifts, swivel chairs and various chair options and many different forms of hand controls and foot pedals. Decide what you want but most importantly be practical about what you need!
When I started the process I was informed I needed hand controls and my seat raised quite a bit! Those that know me know I get my height from my mom and it's not much to brag about! I started out with a hand control bar in my first car and in my new one it's all in the wrist! All of this can be determined simply by the employee taking measurements. From there it's a piece of cake, until you have to learn how to drive the car and get use to everything!
Make a few more appointments and let them worry about the rest! The cost is another factor but do your research because a lot of car places offer rebates and refunds for adaptations! Think about that when you’re looking for a car! After the car is finished make sure you get instructions on how to operate the machinery!
I remember when my car was done I was so excited to have the freedom to drive! I got in the car with no instruction and with my mom and sister in the back I yanked the hand control all the way to my knees! FYI, a tiny little push on the hand control has you going about 50 mph! I think that is the main reason why to this day my mom still cringes when she drives with me! We went flying into the street, it even scared me!
That brings me to a very important point I haven't covered: driving schools! Practice with hand controls or whatever equipment you may need before they are installed in your car to help decide what you’re comfortable with! Look in the phone book and simply ask until you find some place that has the equipment you need.
My driving school teacher was tough to find and about 70 years old but I found her and she taught me a lot! Maybe that explains why I drive like an old grandma sometimes! For a few weekends she and I drove around in her clunky Buick but I was able to get use to the hand controls. Remember the story I told above and please practice, practice, practice!
My point is that driving is completely possible for a disabled person but it requires time patience and dedication! I might be absolutely terrible at it but I still am determined to do it! Now if I could just get a little better with cooking! :) Bottom line: there are a few hurdles to jump over but in the end, it's just a chair!!
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