[hanma51]

With new adventures, comes new questions. We recently purchased one of those PT cruisers for my daughters. She can manuever her wheelchair in the drivers seat, but I just read in her wheelchair manual, that the GPV quickie is not safe in a motor vehicle. Are there any chairs that are safe? Is there an easier way to secure the wheelchair than with tie downs? The ez ---- discourages the use of the quickie wheelchair. What are other drivers from a wheelchair doing?

[silone74]

Hi just wondered why the choice was made to drive from the wheelchair i transfer into the drivers seat and drive using the hand controls.Hope that does not sound funny i just wondered

Silone74

[Texaswheelz]

I don't know of any, i would think for liabilties sake, that all wheelchair companies will state they their chairs aren't safe to drive from.

[hanma51]

hanma51, on Oct 16 2007, 05:18 AM, said:

With new adventures, comes new questions. We recently purchased one of those PT cruisers for my daughters. She can manuever her wheelchair in the drivers seat, but I just read in her wheelchair manual, that the GPV quickie is not safe in a motor vehicle. Are there any chairs that are safe? Is there an easier way to secure the wheelchair than with tie downs? The ez ---- discourages the use of the quickie wheelchair. What are other drivers from a wheelchair doing?

Silone,
The choice to drive from the wheelchair was for convenience purposes. It seemed so much easier to drive from her own chair than to tear up her arms transferring since she is short, and her paralysis is from her chest down. Getting the wheelchair into a car was going to be a difficult manuever for her. She has strong arms, but the chair still weighs alot. So much for simplicity.

[edlee]

I know how parents worry, but I, too, would recomend transfering into the seat. The vehicle is built to protect the driver that way. So far, none are designed with ANY kind of wheelchair in mind.

Her arms will hold up fine, if she's careful, and if she isn't careful she,ll need the airbags to work properly, anyway!

ed

[oldwheelz]

I can't see what difference it would make as to what make of chair you drive from. As said it pobably is a liability thing. I've been driving from my A-4 for three years and have no problems. I use a E-z lock. As far as safety all that holds a factory seat in are four small bolts. The way I am locked in I feel just as safe.
As to driving from a chair I won't go back to transfers. I go out several times a day and that means too many transfers. Too each their own.

[silone74]

Ok just wondered, i 2 am paralysed from the mid chest down i find it pretty straight forward to get in and out of the car i know what you meen about getting the chair in but i got a titanium chair it is very light and makes life alot easier for everything in life. I feel more normal (not the right word to use but dont know what else to put) while sitting in the drivers seat nobody can tell that i use a chair i find that a big thing for me it just makes me feel the same as before my accident dont get me wrong i would never say what is right for me was right for any 1 else like alot of things it is all down to personal choice and what is easier for you. I thing as said previously the chair companies have to cover themselves by saying the chair is not for driving from.

Silone74.

[OmniLee]

hanma51, on Oct 16 2007, 01:18 AM, said:

With new adventures, comes new questions. We recently purchased one of those PT cruisers for my daughters. She can manuever her wheelchair in the drivers seat, but I just read in her wheelchair manual, that the GPV quickie is not safe in a motor vehicle. Are there any chairs that are safe? Is there an easier way to secure the wheelchair than with tie downs? The ez ---- discourages the use of the quickie wheelchair. What are other drivers from a wheelchair doing?

As a quadriplegic for 18 years, I have driven both cars and vans. In both cases I have always chosen to transfer into the seat provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle. While this doesn't answer your question, it is something worth considering.



If you're dead set on using a wheelchair as her driving position, consider purchasing a wheelchair with a solid frame, preferably a box frame as it will provide the most support. However, I must echo the feelings of others, in that a wheelchair is not as safe nor is it more convienent. The only time that it may be more convienent is if you live in an area where the weather (namely snow) is a concern. Transfering into a car with a wheelchair on a snow slicked surface is not a treat. Again, the wheelchair will never be as safe as the seat provided by the vehicle manufacturer.



Now, if you deside to replace the wheelchair mount with the vehicles seat. It will be best to buy the lightest wheelchair for her size; some excellent manufacturers are TiLite, Colours and Lasher Sports. Each of those manufacturers make the lightest wheelchairs currently available. Also make sure the wheelchair has the least amount of frame material, as well as a folding back. Something else to consider the distance to transfer. Some wheelchairs, due to frame design, have longer transfer distances then others.



Whatever you deside, good luck and best wishes.

[KarenFerguson]

This is just an idea, but if she can transfer look into getting an accessible Honda Element with a driver side ramp. My husband and I have two. The one that I drive is great because I can leave my chair together in the passenger side and transfer into the driver seat. Easy & also convenient for my husband to be a passenger (then I have to take my chair apart - but that's another story). I know you just bought the PT Cruiser (we looked at those as well), but I think the Honda Element's a much better choice.

As far as chairs go, make sure she has a chair with a bar underneath that will support the Ez-lock. My husband has a rigid frame Ti Light that has a bar for the Ez-lock. Your daughter would be very safe if she has an Ez-lock, a seatbelt and she's sitting far enough away from the steering wheel. Just make the sure the chair isn't loose in the Ez-lock.