Driving with hand controls
As many of you know, eight years ago I came close to giving up on ever driving again. I had trouble managing the gas and brake pedals with my numb legs and feet. One time I accidentally pressed the gas pedal when I was trying to stop. That was a scary moment. I came close to rear-ending a car going full speed. Yikes!
My occupational therapist suggested I get hand controls. She even set up an appointment for me to learn how to drive with them. It was a bit awkward at first. I had to think way too hard to do what I had already been able to do with my feet. Which lever do I use to brake? Which one for the gas? How do I steer? Can any car be set up with hand controls? Will I have to be retested for my drivers license? Will insurance help with the costs?
Too many questions… do I really want to make that big of a change?
After considering all my options, I decided to make the change. I wanted freedom to come and go without requiring help from others just to go to the store or to an appointment. I didn’t want to become a burden to those closest to me.
I had already run into disappointments waiting on people to take me to appointments and not showing up as promised. Many times I had to cancel the appointment all because I was waiting on someone else to take me.
Using hand controls to drive sounds complicated but it actually makes driving possible. There are a range of hand controls to pick from. Different controls based on a persons specific impairment.
I was able to purchase a conversion van set up for a wheelchair driver with hand controls. It has given me the ability to go to the store, appointments and other places giving me much more independence than I thought I could ever have.
1. Simplify your life.
You go, Penelope! That’s awesome! Thank you for showing us. I was just gonna write COOL ! I’m impressed. This is to more independence for us! WOOHOO!
I would love to see more videos on things that help you throughout your day! This video took some of the mystery out of hand controls…thanks!
Hey Penelope this was absolutely the best video I’ve seen in awhile. Sorry I’ve been gone for many weeks, cause I love all of your posts!!! I have had to stop driving because I can’t lift my legs now in order to use the gas and brake 🙁 Now I see my fearless leader and how you still get around and that looks WONDERFUL!!!!!!! Thank you for all of your posts so much it really seems like you know exactly what to say to me or now a video, superb my MS WARRIOR LEADER 🙂 🙂 🙂
Great post and video. I too purchased a wheelchair van that could be converted to hand controls but my hands will no longer work either… luckily I have my hubby
It was great to see your video Penelope. I have used hand controls in my car for many years and it has been really wonderful. I too, would love to see more videos of ways you manage when you have to adapt to a different way of functioning.
Thankyou for your honesty. Love your posts.