Hand controls for vehicle?

Trying to find anyone who actually uses this, as I'm going to buy an automatic and install this so I can get back on the road again.. look out, my dear southern friends!!

Truly though, if you or anyone you know has used this, please post where you bought them and how they worked

All sites that I'm finding say that you need good arm stregnth and coordination, and my neuro has already admitted that I have "arm weakness"... so that may not work so well.

I'm quite excited to be independent again, I missed it... just the little things, I guess. Like running to the store, going to a friends house, dropping by the library, leaving work early, or stopping by KK for a donut. (Smile)

So, yeah, let me know, PLEASE....
~Sunnytoday~

[jensequitur]

Sunny, are you planning on getting on the road right away, or after you recover from this flare that looks suspiciously like MS?  

I don't want to scare you, but MS can mess with your head - literally and figuratively!  I've found that driving has become much more difficult for me, because I have a hard time concentrating on the road without distractions.  Plus I don't have the quickest reflexes...  I'm really careful about judging my own mental fitness before I get behind the wheel.

However, if it's the leg weakness you're thinking about, there's no way to tell at this point if it's permanent.  I'm going to go out on a limb here (pun intended!) and say that you're going to regain the use of that leg.  Maybe not fully, but it will get better as your nerves heal.

If you end up with permanent foot drop, because of damage to the nerve that supplies the peroneus longus (I've done way too much research on this particular muscle!) there are devices that zap that muscle and help you lift your foot.  You might not need to install hand controls at all.

[Quixotic1]

I have been investigating the same thing.  My hip flexor, especially in the right leg, is too weak to lift it to the brake.  So, until I get hand brakes, I'm homebound unless sis drives, which she is always willing to do.

I haven't found yet what I want to do.  My next step will be to call the MS Society.

Q

[Sunnytoday]

hi there!

Yes, I have noticed an improvement in my legs, however... the last flare that I had in May started the downhill thing with my legs and the one I had in June just greatly increased it. i never fully regained everything inbetween and I'm not moving well yet either. I'm trying to look for hand controls that will be removable.

It is interesting, becuase I had considered the idea briefly last year when I had so much hip trouble.

As far as the mind thing. Yes, I will agree. On my worst days, I will most likely ask for someone else to drive. My reflexes are dulled slightly when driving, but what I find the worst is my memory and my speech. It frustrates me, and I try not to dwell on it, but it's apparrent that I'm not who I used to be and some days it makes me want to cry. (Smile) I will see someone I know and as they are talking to me I will not know who they are and can't place their name and will have to ask someone else who that was. I will have to ask for directions 3 an 4 times for a simple job (move this where?). I found that writing everything down helps. I also can't remember fun memories of things that we did through the years, both recent and past and I used to be able to remember way back to when I was a very small kid. I used to joke that I'm getting Alzheimer's at 20 and now I can't joke about it becuase it's too painful, and apparent that mentally, something is happening.

ok, sorry, that turned into a rant, I was just going to comment about car controls. whew!

Long day at clinicals, I apologize. (grin)
Have a blessed night, sleep well all!
~Sunnytoday~