2 replies to this topic

[Ricardo]

Hello, I am a quadriplegic c-5/c-6 "complete" and i want back to the road, but I have the dilemma in which car I choose.
I do not like Minivans I prefer a normal car.
Any suggestions? Any tetraplegics in this situation? what car you drive? how do you get in and out?

[brython2]

Ricardo, on Jan 29 2009, 12:26 PM, said:

Hello, I am a quadriplegic c-5/c-6 "complete" and i want back to the road, but I have the dilemma in which car I choose.
I do not like Minivans I prefer a normal car.
Any suggestions? Any tetraplegics in this situation? what car you drive? how do you get in and out?

If you are going to be transferring from your chair ino the drivers seat, either with or without a sliding board or assistance, try and look for a car that has the narrowest sill. There are big differances from most manufacturers I have seen some sills 8-10" wide, you'll want to be looking for something narrower.
This will make the gap between the edge of your chair and the car seat narrower.
Also make sure the car seat has a height adjustment so you can have the seats level.

A 3 door car will have a longer driver door than a 5 door, I find the shorter 5 door cars easier to transfer from, again the longer door makes the gap you have to transfer bigger, but you do have more room, you will have to experiment.

Try to avoid cars that have bucket seats, basic models usually have flatt seats which are easier totransfer into.
I have had 2 Renault Meganne cars ( old model 1997-2002) that were great.

Of course I am a level lower than you. To get in I get as far to the edge of my chair cushion as I feel safe with. I place both feet/legs over the sill so they are in the footwell. I put one fist on the driver seat and push off with my other hand on the car door ( roughly about where the side mirror is).
To get out I get as far as I dare on the edge of the car seat. I put my outer foot on the footplate of the chair, the inner foot where the car door and sill meet ( watch your foot doesnt jam) I push off with one hand on the steering wheel ( steering lock on) and my other hand grabbing the inner wheelchair wheel, and "go for it!" .

I hope that gives you an idea, there is no perfect way, we all find our different ways, experiment with hand/foot positions whatever you find safe for you or your helper etc

All I can think of at the moment, good luck.

Edited by brython2, 29 January 2009 - 02:37 PM.

[hurbshankin]

brython2, on Jan 29 2009, 09:18 AM, said:

Ricardo, on Jan 29 2009, 12:26 PM, said:

Hello, I am a quadriplegic c-5/c-6 "complete" and i want back to the road, but I have the dilemma in which car I choose.
I do not like Minivans I prefer a normal car.
Any suggestions? Any tetraplegics in this situation? what car you drive? how do you get in and out?

If you are going to be transferring from your chair ino the drivers seat, either with or without a sliding board or assistance, try and look for a car that has the narrowest sill. There are big differances from most manufacturers I have seen some sills 8-10" wide, you'll want to be looking for something narrower.
This will make the gap between the edge of your chair and the car seat narrower.
Also make sure the car seat has a height adjustment so you can have the seats level.

A 3 door car will have a longer driver door than a 5 door, I find the shorter 5 door cars easier to transfer from, again the longer door makes the gap you have to transfer bigger, but you do have more room, you will have to experiment.

Try to avoid cars that have bucket seats, basic models usually have flatt seats which are easier totransfer into.
I have had 2 Renault Meganne cars ( old model 1997-2002) that were great.

Of course I am a level lower than you. To get in I get as far to the edge of my chair cushion as I feel safe with. I place both feet/legs over the sill so they are in the footwell. I put one fist on the driver seat and push off with my other hand on the car door ( roughly about where the side mirror is).
To get out I get as far as I dare on the edge of the car seat. I put my outer foot on the footplate of the chair, the inner foot where the car door and sill meet ( watch your foot doesnt jam) I push off with one hand on the steering wheel ( steering lock on) and my other hand grabbing the inner wheelchair wheel, and "go for it!" .

I hope that gives you an idea, there is no perfect way, we all find our different ways, experiment with hand/foot positions whatever you find safe for you or your helper etc

All I can think of at the moment, good luck.

Do you/have you had issues with spasms when transferring. Spasms are my biggest hurdle when transferring. Are you on anti-spaz meds?

Hurb

Edited by hurbshankin, 31 January 2009 - 03:25 PM.