Six months ago, my disability progressed to the point where my legs will no longer do what I tell them to do. The biggest draw-back to that is I can no longer drive. I love to drive and my wife hates to and with her disability she is unable to lift my wheelchair up to load it in the car. We live in our dream home we had built taking my disability in account. All our doors are wide, ramps were installed, and our bathroom is accessible. But we live 35 miles from the nearest town that consists of more than a mini-market and gas station. I know there is the availability of having hand controls installed on our car but I don’t know where to look for a company that does that. Also, once I get in the car how would I get my chair in? Are there organizations that help with the financial part of the conversion?
The are various van and car mobility conversion companies that are able to convert your vehicle for you in various ways. Alot of these companies are online and very easy to find.
There is a solution for you. I am not sure what sort of medical insurance you have but they do make mini vans for the handicap in wheelchairs.
As you are in your wheelchair, a door will slide open and a platform will haudralicaly drop. You get your chair on the platform, it will lift you to the vehicle and spin your chair as in a "lazy susan" style rotary and it will forward you to the steering wheel.
If you do have medical insurance they can help you find the people/companies which make these vehicles for wheel chair bound people.
I wish you well.
I have a friend who gets around on a power chair from the Scooter Store. Since they helped her get her chair paid for by her insurance, they may be able to point you in the right direction.
Also contact nearly any car dealership. With as bad as they want to sell you a car, they should be able to point you in the right direction, especially with the factory customizations needed for you.
My friend drives a mini-van with a crane lift that she can attach to her power chair and it lifts it in for her.
There many places where you can get hand control..check on the net..that is what the internet is about finding information…You can always get a mini van and put in a ramp…..
This page contains some information http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/adaptive/brochure/brochure.html
Good luck to you, I don’t think you will need to leave your dream home, I’m sure there is a solution out there.
There are agencies in YOUR area that help with things like wheelchair lifts, etc.
Disability? what disability? You are only as disabled as you let yourself be. I have a friend that is a quad…he isn’t disabled, he bought a computer that has voice recoginition and writes business plans. Another friend has severly limited sight, he has a computer with a 39" monitor. That makes things large enough for him to see. He designs ramps and wheelchair access for folks needing it.
I have a friend that is totally blind (plastic eyes), she is an advocate for the visually impared…she is also an attorney.
Whatever you WANT to do, you CAN do….go for it.
I would call your nearest hospital and speak with a physical or occupational therapist. Either will have info on adaptive equipment for just about every purpose, including lifts and hand controls.
I am learning how to drive with the hand control (frist time driving I have cp since birth)
You will have to get a evaluation and they will determine what you need they will give you a prescription so you can take that to the place you are going to chance your car. (the evaluation is not cover by any health insurance you will have to pay from your poket. These places can give you info on organizationto help you pay. They are mostly hospital am doing mine in NRH in Washington DC) They will also give you a form to fill out you, your doctor. To take it to the DMV so they can print out in your driving lincense your "restriction". After the evaluation has been done they will give you information where to do this changes, there are organizations who help you pay. You can find them online. If you own a Ford this page may help you it tell you what car are available to the change and what
http://www.fordmobilitymotoring.com/modifyequipment.mob
Disaboom.com gives a lot of information on these as well look here
http://www.disaboom.com/Living/Automotive/Default.aspx
Hope this helps.
My suggestion would be to contact your local Department Of Human Resources and see if they can direct you to the right agency that could provide you with the answers and opportunity to have your vehicle up graded to where you and your wife can use without any trouble.
http://WeTheDisabled.com