Driving when the legs become weak

[maestro1959]

Do any of you drive a vehicle with hand controls?  I was in a car accident about 3 weeks ago.  My car stalled as I approached a red light, and I did not have the strength to stop it without the power brakes.  I plowed the pickup stopped in front of me.  Now, I have to consider having hand controls on my car when it is repaired.  Are there any requirements for contacting the department of motor vehicles or anyone like that?  I have Googled and can not find any information that instructs me in this regard.  I would appreciate anyone who could help.

I live in Michigan, and there does appear to be any regulation in place for this.

Most sincerely,
Beth

[maestro1959]

Actually, Addi every state is different.  It appears that Michigan does not have a manditory process that involves the Department of Motor Vehicles (or in our case, the Office of the Sectretary of State.)

Those controls can be purchased through websites.  There are even "portable" kits you can buy that take only minutes to attach to your brake and accelerator pedals, and can be moved to whatever car you are driving.

The only thing that I have found to be mandated is contacting your auto insurance.  They may raise your premiums only if your vehicle's value is increased due to the modifications.

That is what I have discovered so far.

Most sincerely,
Beth

[addicted2harleys]

Hotwheels - Medicare won't pay for hand controls.  :(

Here in AZ, you have to go through Occupational Therapy to get controls.  That is just the starting point.  And, you have to have a prescription for them.  DMV will be involved, too, I just don't know at what point they do.  

I am getting hand controls put on my vehicle.  :)

Addi

[maestro1959]

Thank you to all of you for your kinds words of encouragement and sound information.  I am a bit nervous about this.  I have never been good with change, and this one is a dandy.  I even get stressed even when changing my hair style.  You should have seen me when I had to change gynecologists!  LOL.  I am determined to conquer it, though.

I live alone, and have no family within 1000 miles.  I have wonderful friends who have jumped to assist me without hesitation over the past 3 weeks.  I just would really like my independence back.  I get my new wheelchair and a new ramp in about 2 weeks.  I am hoping my car will be drivable by then, and I can take it and get the modifications done.  I believe I will look at all these events as a new chapter in my life, and embrace them with gusto.

Again, thank you.  There are times when I would like to reach through the computer and just hug so many of you.  This would be one of those times.

Most sincerely,
Beth

[Lulu54]

If you need some financial help, you may get an application into the MS Foundation, but hurry.  The upcoming deadline for the Brighter Tomorrow grants is September 1.  Who knows, they might just help.

You can find out more on these at

msfocus.org

best,
L

[tammy197238]

I used hand controls back in 2000 when I had probable guillaine barre.  I used them for 9 months and once you get the hang of it it is quite easy.  Its was funny because my dad took me out on the country roads to practice and he would get nervous and say "now theres a stop sign"  or "your coming up on someone"  just like when he taught me to drive as a teenager but i was 28.  I had to tell him that my legs didn't work but I wasn't blind i could see the stop sign and the car in front of me.  :)    It was so nice to be able to drive myself  and not rely on someone to come pick me up everytime I wanted to go somewhere.  You can do it!

Tammy

[jensequitur]

My problem is that hand controls won't necessarily fix anything - my hands are weak too!  What if they can't get to the hand control in time?

I couldn't drive for a while because I couldn't lift up my right leg.  

[grannyhotwheels]

Since the subject was brought up... I was wondering if medicare helps pay for this or is this all on us?  I haven't been able to drive since 2004 because of my legs... Oh the joy of being able to go to Walmart by myself would be .... I can't think of the word I want to use but it would be great...

Beth, I'm so sorry about your accident but get that done if you can so you don't loose that independence...

I'll be praying,
Carol

[maestro1959]

Thank you, Lulu.  I will make that call.  I am so glad to speak to someone who has witnessed another person firsthand who is having success with hand controls.

The accident was quite frightening.  The miraculous part of the whole ordeal is that this is an extremely busy intersection.  I do not believe I have ever come upon it when there were not any cars, and yet at the moment of the accident there were none.  He was the first vehicle stopped at the light, so I drove him into the intersection.  He just gunned it and parked on the other side of the light.  They were not hurt either, and I was so relieved.  I was banged up pretty good from the airbag.

I had a friend in another car just a mile behind me.  I called her right away.  I stayed quite lucid until I was on the side of the road, then went into shock.  That was scarey, too.  I am nearly completely healed now.

I will attempt to get the correct information from a Michigan DMV (dept. of motor vehicles) and then go from there.  Surely, they can steer me in the right direction (big pun intended).  I have been wrestling with the idea of needing them for a bit.  The accident was the convincing factor.

I so appreciate all you do to help on this site.  It truly has been a great source over the past several months.  Thank you so much.

I will report any cogent information I receive.

Most sincerely,
Beth

[Lulu54]

Gosh Beth, that had to have been a frightening feeling to know you weren't able to stop.  I'm glad you hit something bigger like a pickup that would stop you and not some small compact car.  Have you had the problem with the car stalling repaired?  

As for hand controls, I know Quix had that done on her car over a year ago and she loves it.  It took a while to get used to, she had to be trained how to use them, and I'm thinking she even had to go to the motor vehicle bureau to be retested with this car.  

Each state is so different with their requirements.  I would say the best bet is to pick up the phone and call your local license bureau, ask to speak to a manager because the clerks might give you wrong information, and then talk it over and ask the manager the questions.

Good for you to know you need to make adaptations.  You can continue to drive with these controls.  In fact, I have a good friend with MS in a wheelchair (over 5 years) who drives all over by herself.  She has hand controls on her van and has managed to keep that part of independence.  She drives herself to our weekly swim group.

good luck with this change,
Lulu