Help
OK posters - a question.
How many of the quads out there drive? My nephew is C3/4 complete yet was encouraged to meet another complete quad who can only move his arms and is being assessed for driving.
So, if you drive and cannot move your hands/fingers - how do you do it. I am accummulating as much info as I can to try and give my nephew as much support as I am able. Dont want to get his hopes up so thought I would try here.
Thanks.
Gary
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Quadraplegic Driving
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#2
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Posted 06 March 2006 - 05:50 PM
Hi
I'm sure someone once told me there's a suck/puff system to drive vans. However, no idea who did it.
Try http://www.steeringdevelopments.co.uk/
They will do bespoke conversions (many case studeis on their site though non for chin control/suck/puff!
I'm sure someone once told me there's a suck/puff system to drive vans. However, no idea who did it.
Try http://www.steeringdevelopments.co.uk/
They will do bespoke conversions (many case studeis on their site though non for chin control/suck/puff!
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#3
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Posted 06 March 2006 - 06:49 PM
I am a C5/6 with no finger movement at all. I drive a Chrysler Voyager fitted with joystick steering. Probably the best thing I've ever done. I'm quite confident that someone was less movement than me could drive with ease. You don't really need any strength. You just need to be able to move your arms back and forth a bit.
Fitting a car out with joystick steering is not a cheap option. However, if it means being mobile and independent, it's worth every single penny.
Check my website out. I have been driving for 11 years now and still love every moment of it, even if I am stuck in traffic jam, it's brilliant, I would encourage any Tetraplegic to persevere with driving
disabled driving
joystick steering
Fitting a car out with joystick steering is not a cheap option. However, if it means being mobile and independent, it's worth every single penny.
Check my website out. I have been driving for 11 years now and still love every moment of it, even if I am stuck in traffic jam, it's brilliant, I would encourage any Tetraplegic to persevere with driving
disabled driving
joystick steering
#4
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Posted 06 March 2006 - 06:52 PM
You said your nephew was C3/4 complete and he can move his arms. I am somewhat dubious to whether you have got that quite right. Normally a C3 would have no movement at all, unless of course it was an incomplete break.
#5 *Gary*
Posted 07 March 2006 - 08:21 AM
My nephew is C3/C4 complete and can move his HANDS slightly to be able to control an electric chair.
He met another C3/C4 - who I presume is INCOMPLETE - as he can move his arms and it was he who told Alan about driving.
We are uncertain about Alan driving when he can only slightly move his hands.
He met another C3/C4 - who I presume is INCOMPLETE - as he can move his arms and it was he who told Alan about driving.
We are uncertain about Alan driving when he can only slightly move his hands.
#6
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Posted 07 March 2006 - 03:56 PM
Gary, have to agree with Ironside. I am C4 comp and can move nothing below my shoulders, no arm movement or hand movement, a client who comes here is also C4 comp and he is exactly like me its uncanny. If your nephew was c3/4 comp he may even be ventilated. Phrenic nerve is c3.
Simon
Simon
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#7 *Gary*
Posted 07 March 2006 - 04:47 PM
Alan was ventilated in the beginning but not any longer. Docs recently told his parents he was C3/4 complete DESPITE the fact that there is movement - albeit limited - in his hands. I cannot argue with the docs and can only go on what he tells me. HOWEVER, if he can drive a car then you can bet your bottom dollar I will be staying off the road. No offence to anyone but there is NO WAY I would contemplate getting in a car with someone who had no movement in hands/fingers.
Anway, I think Alan was just clutching at straws. To be honest the moment he has is so slight that it is not effective but at 16 how can you honestly dim his spirits by telling him that. Realisation will hit Alan soon enough for now - we are humouring him.
Accoridng to the docs, he will not improve anymore than he has.
Sorry to disappoint folks. But to to honest the movement he has is not great. I imagine myself it will be enought to move an electric wheelchair given how sensitive to movement they are but nothing more.
Gary.
Anway, I think Alan was just clutching at straws. To be honest the moment he has is so slight that it is not effective but at 16 how can you honestly dim his spirits by telling him that. Realisation will hit Alan soon enough for now - we are humouring him.
Accoridng to the docs, he will not improve anymore than he has.
Sorry to disappoint folks. But to to honest the movement he has is not great. I imagine myself it will be enought to move an electric wheelchair given how sensitive to movement they are but nothing more.
Gary.
#8
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Posted 08 March 2006 - 12:01 AM
Quote
No offence to anyone but there is NO WAY I would contemplate getting in a car with someone who had no movement in hands/fingers.
What makes you think disabled people with no hand movement are incapable of driving a car safely? Do you honestly think any of us would have passed our driving tests if we were at all unsafe? Cars that are specially adapted for disabled drivers have very specialised controls fitted. You do not need hand or finger movement to drive a car. I have been driving for 11 years and I have never met anyone who was unwilling to travel with me.
This post has been edited by Ironside: 08 March 2006 - 12:07 AM
#9 *Gary*
Posted 08 March 2006 - 07:48 AM
I did say at the beginning I meant no offence to anyone. Having now been involved in 2 paralysing accidents - I am only thinking of myself. In fact, given the circumstances of my recent life threatening accident - believe me driving is the last thing I want to do - never mind travel with anyone else.
I was not thinking clearly when I wrote that post, however, at the end of the day, I am ONLY interested in doing as much as I can for my nephew who is not as fortunate as some SCI patients. He thinks he will be able to do ANYTHING, the reality is far removed from that.
I was not thinking clearly when I wrote that post, however, at the end of the day, I am ONLY interested in doing as much as I can for my nephew who is not as fortunate as some SCI patients. He thinks he will be able to do ANYTHING, the reality is far removed from that.
#10
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Posted 09 March 2006 - 06:47 PM
Don't worry, you didn't offend me at all.
As for your nephew thinking that he can do everything. That may be his way of coping with what's happened to him. He'll realise what he can and cannot do before too long. I would just go along with it. The last thing you want to start doing to him is telling him he can't do that can't do this. He needs to realise his limitations by himself.
As for your nephew thinking that he can do everything. That may be his way of coping with what's happened to him. He'll realise what he can and cannot do before too long. I would just go along with it. The last thing you want to start doing to him is telling him he can't do that can't do this. He needs to realise his limitations by himself.
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Posted 10 March 2006 - 04:02 AM
What happened to not underestimating one's abilities? Certainly people with disabilities are limited but a good deal of that limitation resides in the mind. The last thing you want to do is contribute to that. On the same note you do have to be realistic. That's why maybe you should direct him to this site and let him find out on his own the different methods. These days if you can use a computer odds are there's an adaptive device that will allow you to drive a car.
I am a C4/5 incomplete who originally had no faith in myself. Hell, now I'm playing rugby. I've actually got a friend with less function than me who drives himself to work everyday. And, didn't one of these guys mention driving with a joystick. You said your nephew can operate his own chair. He can probably work his way up to driving his car with a joystick. Sound expensive? There's a lot of organizations that might help fund the adaption's. Just have to look.
I am a C4/5 incomplete who originally had no faith in myself. Hell, now I'm playing rugby. I've actually got a friend with less function than me who drives himself to work everyday. And, didn't one of these guys mention driving with a joystick. You said your nephew can operate his own chair. He can probably work his way up to driving his car with a joystick. Sound expensive? There's a lot of organizations that might help fund the adaption's. Just have to look.
#12 *Gary*
Posted 10 March 2006 - 07:46 AM
Quote
You said your nephew can operate his own chair.
I am very sorry that I ever asked this question re driving now. Howevery to anyone with whose handicaps are worse than mine that I have offended sorry.
I NEVER said my nephew could operate his own chair it is HOPED he will be able to. Considering he is C3/C4 with very little function that remains to be seen.
I can only ask the qestions on behalf of my family - who do not have computer access to do things themselves. It is not my fault if I cannont visulaize someone steering without movement in their hands by using their head or any other method.
So to anyone out there who was offended by my comments - sorry.
Likewise, I honestly cannot see my nephew driving, playing rugby or anything else for that matter. He is more or less dependant on someone else for EVERYTHING.
To those who have assited - many thanks.
At the end of the day, I am only the go-between for my family. Life is tough enough on them without having to tiptoe around to ask questions. Hells teeth here in the UK everyone knows that there is not very much assistance or info given out at spinal units.
Anyway, now we know where to find the info, I am sure my BIL will look into it.
#13
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Posted 10 March 2006 - 11:19 AM
Gary
You aint offended me! Sorry if it seemed like it, I reckon he could drive looking at Steering developments case histories. I don't drive, though if I threw enough money at it I probably could but I havent got it and would rather save funding for my w/chairs than a vehicle.
Simon
You aint offended me! Sorry if it seemed like it, I reckon he could drive looking at Steering developments case histories. I don't drive, though if I threw enough money at it I probably could but I havent got it and would rather save funding for my w/chairs than a vehicle.
Simon
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#14
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Posted 11 March 2006 - 10:35 PM
No one is offended. It would be a shame if you came to a forum like this for support and could not speak your mind.
Personally I am the hardest person in the world to offend. Likewise, I hope you didn't take anything I said the wrong way. Really, this should not be an issue.
The issue is how can you help to better your nephews quality-of-life. It is obviously not my place to tell you how to go about doing that, but it sounds like you're on the right track just by trying to be supportive in any way that you think you can.
All I can say is let him know you're always be there for him. Be realistic (disabilities suck ass, you know that) but do not doubt his abilities. And encourage the family to get a computer. This voice recognition software is great it will open up many opportunities.
Personally I am the hardest person in the world to offend. Likewise, I hope you didn't take anything I said the wrong way. Really, this should not be an issue.
The issue is how can you help to better your nephews quality-of-life. It is obviously not my place to tell you how to go about doing that, but it sounds like you're on the right track just by trying to be supportive in any way that you think you can.
All I can say is let him know you're always be there for him. Be realistic (disabilities suck ass, you know that) but do not doubt his abilities. And encourage the family to get a computer. This voice recognition software is great it will open up many opportunities.
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