Driving When Disabled, It’s Hands On.

I’ve had my new car since last September but I’ve not really drove it much. I’m still relying on Graham to drive me and the family around. But I do long for my independence. It’s never that easy though. Driving when disabled isn’t easy

Driving with your Hands

First of all I’d like to explain a little about how I drive. We have an automatic car and I have these controls fitted.

So Instead of using the pedals I use the lever which is situated just under the steering wheel. If I push it, it pushing down the break pedal and if I pull it, it works the accelerator pedal. It’s really quite simple. Because I’m using a hand to work the pedals it means I only have one hand on the steering wheel so to make this easier there is a knob that fits on the wheel and it makes turning the wheel with one hand easier. The pedals are still usable so someone else can drive the car normally with their feet, and the wheel knob comes off with a click.

To indicate there is a little switch on the lever which I can click with my thumb. I have to remember to click it again to turn it off.

It takes a little getting used to, but the main problem is both hands are in constant use, so it makes changing the radio station, or signalling a thanks to someone who has let me pass is very difficult. There are so many knobs and switches on the steering wheel that I could get used to using though. But at the moment I’m taking it slow.

As a driver for over 20 years before becoming disabled, I’ve found this a difficult transition but it’s not too hard. I’d never driven an automatic before and I miss changing gear! I’ve tried using the pedals but due to my condition I cannot control how far to push down on them. In fact, I find it difficult to feel them at all.

Driving Around

I started off getting used to the car by driving it around my close. It’s quite small but it’s a good place to get used to the controls, stopping and starting, parking, reversing and I’ve even added in a reverse around the corner and a 3 point turn. All of which I managed easily.

Then on a Sunday morning, when the roads are fairly quiet, I’ve done some driving around. I’ve chosen particularly quiet roads that are wide and easy to navigate. I found it hard getting up to speed but it came eventually. I hadn’t actually encountered much traffic and I was worried about this.

I’d planned a dummy run to my Little Man’s new school on a Sunday because it’s not too far, just too far for him to walk and there is no direct bus. I thought, I’d give it a go and then maybe go into the traffic and take him to school. Unfortunately, I had no car on the Sunday as it was with Graham and he wasn’t feeling well.

I did bite the bullet though and on Monday afternoon I drove to the school. I did it. I faced traffic, two islands and temporary lights. I made no mistakes although I did have a car pull out on me on the island and another car tried to pull out on me and had second thoughts. I tried not to let it phase me though, neither of these incidents had been my fault and I handled them well. I didn’t feel confident enough to drive home though and felt a little disappointed in myself. I just thought that I should be proud of myself for what I achieved and I know it will all get easier in time and with more practice.

The Other Issues No-one Thinks About

I constantly have friends and family telling me to just take my car back and drive it myself. But there are some things that no-one thinks about.

I can drive the car, getting to the car and getting in the car is not so easy as I’m not mobile outside. I sometimes need help getting in and out too. So I need somebody else with me. This could be one of my children or another adult.

I can drive the car, but I can’t get my wheelchair in and out of the boot. I’d have to have someone with me to do this for me. I’m stuck whenever I get anywhere, or if I need my wheelchair at home. I do have a wheelchair I can use in the house, but as it’s manual I can’t actually go to the local shop in it, I don’t have the strength.

I am sometimes in too much pain to drive the car. I get spasms in my arms, shoulders, neck which would all make it difficult to actually drive. I get pain in my legs which would not affect my ability but leave me uncomfortable and distracted.

I get massive migraines from my treatment which means I wouldn’t be able to drive home from the hospital.

I occasionally suffer from chronic fatigue which would make it unsafe for me to drive.

I was given a medical licence seven years ago which has to be renewed every 3 years. The last time it was up for renewal it took six months for me to get it back. During which time I was allowed to drive but only if I felt well and could have caused problems if I had ended up in an accident. It was during this time that we decided that Graham would be the only driver in the house and I took the passenger seat. I got my licence back just before I was due to get a new car so we decided to get one with adaptations so I could try driving again, just a little. Graham was still going to be the main driver.

Then Graham left me, but he’s still on my insurance and a named driver on my car. Since we have had the car it’s been in his possession and we have had to call him whenever we’ve needed a lift anywhere. He has been at our beck and call and he says he doesn’t mind. Well, the plus side is that he gets to keep the car and can use it whenever he wants.

I need a solution. I want to drive my own car, I want my car on my drive outside my home. But, it’s really not so simple.

If anyone has the answer, please let me know. (i.e. a cure for SPS would be nice!)

If anyone has any questions about hand driving please ask away.