19 replies to this topic

[hurbshankin]

It's been almost three years since I've been able to drive. I've completed driver eval. and at this point it looks like I've got til december (best case scenario) for delivery of my vehicle. I'm going nuts without my independence. I feel like I'm 15 again, "can I get a ride to...?" In addition, the transporter van I've got now has seen better days. I am grateful I can get to work and appointments though.

Looks like I need a bunch of mods, 0 effort steering and brakes, hand controls with tri-pins, power headrest w/ button for signals horn etc, touch screen for heater and other secondary controls, 6" drop floor, split lift, the list goes on.

How long did you have to wait and maybe the saga of your endeavor?

What type of vegicle did you get? Mods?

Hurb

[allis53ca]

took me couple years to dare to drive...only mods are hand controls and steering knob

[Stickman]

it was about 3 years for me too, got the hand controls, knob and a foot plate so my legs dont spasm and hit the petals. Took me a while to get confident enough to drive alone though. Doing pretty good nowadays, going to therapy twice a week.

[BillS]

About a month after I was out of the hospital, 4 months post injury. I didn't see any reason to delay it.

All I needed was a set of hand controls on my car and a few trips around the parking lot to get used to them. The odd thing was the DMV made me retest before I could officially drive. But they only made me retake the WRITTEN portion of the test. I didn't have to redo the driving portion.

[LeahC]

I only need hand controls, I went and picked my car within a week or so of leaving rehab and the car arrived 2-3 months later as it is a brand new car

[Edinburgh Colin]

As soon as I got out of hospital, 9 months after injury discharged, 1 month later driving, hand controls and steering knob.
bit freaky but after a few days I relaxed a bit and it's not so bad. Only been doing it 2 months but not hit anything yet either. Getting used to getting the chair in and out is the hardest bit.

[pistol_pete]

Injured in April 08, driving by Dec 08. hand controls and a big knob on the steering wheel, oh and one of those little knobs for turning heh heh.

Had to resit the drive test. Lost all my big rig licences.

It was a bit different at first ( I guess if your injury was due to an MVA then being comfortable behind the wheel might take longer.

Now it just seems like normal. Right hand turns can be dodgy, I've ended up with my head in the passenger seat once or twice,(right hand drive vehicle).

[McTavish]

It took me one year and only had to get hand controls and a switch to move the seat back and forward. Also have roof box which lifts up chair with the flick of a switch. Can,t imagine not driving and being independent. I got a Citroen C2 which I adore but am now changing to a Peugeot 107 only because the Citroen is three years old.

[hurbshankin]

I've been strong enough to drive for about a year now. I'm going through the state for funding of the mods, about $40,000. That's the big hold-up, NY state is crazy slow and now we're broke.

I am a bit nervous about driving a full size van, I certainly don't want to put anyone in a chair.

I certainly can not wait to drive again. I need my independence!!!

Another exercise in patience!!!

Hurb

[tmcph]

it took me 2 yrs. to drive again

our mods will prob. be similar, i had low effort steering put in, air touch controls for gas & brake, elbow switches for many of the secondary control, i had to do a 9" floor drop on an e350, makes for a huge vehicle

[hurbshankin]

tmcph, on May 12 2010, 01:51 PM, said:

it took me 2 yrs. to drive again

our mods will prob. be similar, i had low effort steering put in, air touch controls for gas & brake, elbow switches for many of the secondary control, i had to do a 9" floor drop on an e350, makes for a huge vehicle

tmcph - You must have a long torso/tall chair to need the 9" drop. I'm right at the limit. I'm putting 4 wheel drive into my E350 that raises the vehicle up already so I def can't do a 9" drop.

Hurb

[Josh D._1985]

I have been injured for about 3 1/2 years and currently just ride passenger. I have recently ordered a vehicle that I will be able to drive. I am purchasing a full size Ford van through NorCal mobility. I am getting a van with a 9 inch lowered floor. This is a fairly expensive option but I need this because I have clearance issues when getting into vehicles, in my chair. The lift I am getting is a Braun double arm. I will be using a transfer seat to drive from. As far as hand controls, I am just going to use a tri-pin. I have pretty good use of my left leg, so I will be using a left foot accelerator and the regular brake pedal. Because it is a larger vehicle I am getting 50% reduced effort steering. They are also installing an extension for the parking brake. There will be a set of tiedowns installed, in case I want to ride mid passenger in my wheelchair or have another individual ride along.

I am also looking forward to being able to drive myself places.

[E-DOG]

Got me a D-6 Caterpillar with hand controls, an easy rider rifle rack (with room for not 2, but 3 of my favorite rifles) an extra big ash-tray, and plenty o' places to put half gallon jugs of tequila an' shot glasses. Plus a cool-down rack fer pizzas. (Hate it when hot cheese sticks to the roof o' my mouth.)

Rides a tad rough on the freeway but inconsiderate butt-head drivers DO move out the way right quick!
Or they spend lots o' time in the hospital asking themselves why the hell they didn't.

They say ya can't control other people.
Bullshit! With a little good ol' fashion American inginuity, an' a whole lotta horse power most folks can be guided (prodded) in the right direction.

E-dog

[Redish]

Started driving as soon as I got out of rehab, about 4 months after my injury. Drove the car straight trough the garage door, into the washing machine. A brand new Nissan sentra with only 35km on the clock. It's funny now but back then I sure as hell did not find it funny. Still have the car after 9 years with no further incidents.

[El Phantasmo]

It took me about 6 months after I got out of rehab. My hold up was getting in and out of my truck w/ my chair. I had an upper lobectomy, and the incision weakened my right arm strength. Got hand controls after driving w/ a sledge hammer handle for a while. Had to get in the pass. side of the truck and pull chair in behind me. I now have an 1989 pontiac 350 formula. Easy to get in, throw chair in back seat, and go.

[hurbshankin]

E-DOG, on May 13 2010, 04:50 PM, said:

Got me a D-6 Caterpillar with hand controls, an easy rider rifle rack (with room for not 2, but 3 of my favorite rifles) an extra big ash-tray, and plenty o' places to put half gallon jugs of tequila an' shot glasses. Plus a cool-down rack fer pizzas. (Hate it when hot cheese sticks to the roof o' my mouth.)

Rides a tad rough on the freeway but inconsiderate butt-head drivers DO move out the way right quick!
Or they spend lots o' time in the hospital asking themselves why the hell they didn't.

They say ya can't control other people.
Bullshit! With a little good ol' fashion American inginuity, an' a whole lotta horse power most folks can be guided (prodded) in the right direction.

E-dog

E-Dog you make me laugh! a D-9 might be a bit more intimidating or perhaps an excavator with a grapple. Those who choose not to yield can be picked up and hurled like the butt end of a tree on the landing of a logging operation!

[E-DOG]

hurbshankin, on May 14 2010, 09:09 AM, said:

E-DOG, on May 13 2010, 04:50 PM, said:

Got me a D-6 Caterpillar with hand controls, an easy rider rifle rack (with room for not 2, but 3 of my favorite rifles) an extra big ash-tray, and plenty o' places to put half gallon jugs of tequila an' shot glasses. Plus a cool-down rack fer pizzas. (Hate it when hot cheese sticks to the roof o' my mouth.)

E-dog

E-Dog you make me laugh! a D-9 might be a bit more intimidating or perhaps an excavator with a grapple.

I tried the D-9. Too difficult transfering from bed to tractor and back again.
I rigged up a couple of old Paxton superchargers and a Nitrous Oxide System.
She's a torquee lil' sucker now.

[jclark]

i'm a c5/c6 and wrecked my truck almost 13 months ago and haven't drove yet. my problem is having a vehicle that i can drive from my power chair because of transferring issues but i'm planning on going to a driving school within a few months. it sounds like we'll both need about the same accessible controls. when i get done with the school i'll be trying to get a new vehicle that has everything i need but i don't know how to pay for it. if anyone can help with advice on how they got theirs paid for or help paying i would appreciate it. there's no way i can buy anything with the bullshit $634 monthly ssi check the gov gives me, also does anybody know how to get special grants, etc for extra money?

sorry if i just jacked your thread but i figured everybody who doesn't have this info needs it.

jesse

[ninelives]

I started driving this week, 3 months after my accident. I am not in a chair but have a broken leg and rods in my back that go the length of my lungs. Apart from everything being a bit stiff, I can only get into the car with the door wide open. Anyone in the UK will know that our parking spaces in supermarkets etc are small. I often park with no one next to me and come back to find a car beside the driver's door. I then have to contort my body to have a chance of getting in! I've already pulled a muscle in my groin.

My difficulties are I imagine nothing compared to those of you in a chair in terms of getting in and out, modifications, costs and so on. In the UK, I think there is a mobility scheme to help with costs to adapt cars but I don't know much about it.

What I do know is that driving again is so important to my sense of independence. Before, I felt so chained to the house.

[tmcph]

hurbshankin, on May 12 2010, 11:21 AM, said:

tmcph - You must have a long torso/tall chair to need the 9" drop. I'm right at the limit. I'm putting 4 wheel drive into my E350 that raises the vehicle up already so I def can't do a 9" drop.
Hurb

i do sit tall, i'm 6'3" & sit between 59-60" so it is close, i need to duck my head to fit in the doors. i wanted to do 4-wheel drive but didn't want a raised roof so i had to forgo, i have a braun uvl so the van was lifted extra to give me a little more ground clearance.

good luck w/ getting your van

Josh D._1985, on May 12 2010, 12:34 PM, said:

I have been injured for about 3 1/2 years and currently just ride passenger. I have recently ordered a vehicle that I will be able to drive. I am purchasing a full size Ford van through NorCal mobility. I am getting a van with a 9 inch lowered floor. This is a fairly expensive option but I need this because I have clearance issues when getting into vehicles, in my chair.

you'll love the 9" fullsize van from norcal, that's who did my, i've had very good interactions working w/ them & you're not joking about expensive, but so worth the cost