Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injuries: Being Forced Left In Driver's Seat While Going Around Sharp Curves - Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injuries

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Being Forced Left In Driver's Seat While Going Around Sharp Curves Looking For A Solution Rate Topic: -----

#1 User is offline   Notwheels 

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 04:48 AM

I'm a C3-7 incomplete quad. I find when I drive, the lack of strength in my torso results in the centrifugal force of going around a curve pushing me to the left.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this? Any adaptive equipment that might help. I'm using a seatbelt and shoulder harness in a Subaru Forester.

Carolyn
Author, A Complete Plain-English Guide to Living With a Spinal Cord Injury: Valuable Information From a Survivor (iUniverse 2007). Available at online bookstores worldwide.
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#2 User is offline   Courtney 

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 01:44 PM

A driving strap...I don't know where to get one, the dealer for our van gave us ours, but it's basically a chest strap that goes around the drivers seat and straps you in....works great!!
God will never give me anything that I cannot handle.....I just wish he didn't trust me so much!
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#3 User is offline   LeahC 

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 03:36 PM

Drive slower
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#4 User is offline   allis53ca 

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 06:19 PM

dammit, leah beat me to the punch...
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#5 User is offline   LuckyinKentucky 

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Posted 28 October 2009 - 04:10 PM

My goodness don't slow down! I'd say hearty a velcro strap attached to you seat that has a good loop on the end so you could strap in and out.
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#6 User is offline   4tun8 

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Posted 28 October 2009 - 08:11 PM

What about a Recarro race bucket and/or a 5-point seat belting system. You know, the same or similar to off-road. I went 4-wheeling with a buddy of mine and when going downhill I was hanging in the rigging but still in the seat. Just for good measure, I through my extra cushion in first. Hope this helps. Mark
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#7 User is offline   edlee 

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Posted 28 October 2009 - 11:11 PM

If you are in the US,, leaning to the left puts you up against the door,,, if you're driving, that is.

I got a 2 inch strap with fsteners from a place called strapworks,,, price was pretty good, too. Since I am quite inept at placing links, you'll have to google/bing it.
ed
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#8 User is offline   LuckyinKentucky 

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Posted 29 October 2009 - 03:57 PM

A full race harness would definitely work but may require vehicle modification and seat replacement. And the harness itself could be a pain to fasten. But you could pull a mean power slide with no ill effects, besides the occasional ditch or tree.
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#9 User is offline   Tate 

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Posted 30 August 2010 - 09:10 PM

I know they're expensive but check out higher end/performance BMWs. I used to work on them and three years ago they were putting seats with electronic "bolsters" in their seats into the M5s I think. Even people who aren't paralyzed were having trouble staying in the seats with that much horsepower. They had two different modes, one was to push against whichever side you would slide to as you turned and the other mode was to just hold you put all the time. maybe there's a company out there that'll put them into another car...it'd cost a lot though!
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#10 User is offline   qbounce 

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Posted 31 August 2010 - 10:52 PM

Screw all that extra strap crap! How about a pillow wedged between you and the door? It's much more comfortable than a 5 point racing harness.
When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained. - Mark Twain
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#11 User is offline   rue2you 

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Posted 01 September 2010 - 02:53 AM

When I start going into a curve, I just lean extra the opposite way. By the time I get in the curve I am all straight! It's really not that big of an issue for me.
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#12 User is offline   chrisarnold6 

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Posted 01 September 2010 - 11:12 AM

View Postrue2you, on 01 September 2010 - 02:53 AM, said:

When I start going into a curve, I just lean extra the opposite way. By the time I get in the curve I am all straight! It's really not that big of an issue for me.


This is a good idea, and instinctive to AB drivers. However we're talking about a cervical injury, and maybe there is just not sufficient trunk control to achieve this. A full harness instead of the diagonal half belt provided by car manufacturers could be the answer, but do talk to someone who can offer firm professional advice.
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#13 User is offline   gpet1 

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Posted 01 September 2010 - 04:38 PM

I had the same issue. On my first vehicle conversion I had them take one of the armrests off the driver seat that I no longer use and mount it to the door. It should be placed at the spot where your elbow can press against it when you turn. Works for me.
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