I am a 23 year old recent grad of Edinboro University of PA. I have been trying to past my drivers test for a while now. I took a drivers evaluation and was cleared to drive. I then started taking driving lessons from a rehabilitative instructor. I can drive under 30 MPH just fine. However, when I go higher then this the car starts to drift in the lane. I cannot seem to keep the car straight at higher speeds. I do have a weak right eye (that comes back to the middle when my left eye is covered). I have seen a doctor about the eye problem but, he said he does not think this is the the cause of the problem. Is there anyone who can help me figure out what may be causing this problem? Any help would be great thanks,

Marc
Bisarc@hotmail.com

I am 24 years old and I have mild cp. It took me a while for me to learn to drive. It was really difficult. It will probably just take you some time to get used to controlling the car. I am still sort of drift when I change radio stations going at any speed, look over my shoulder to see oncoming traffic before switching lanes, and on the highways.
I used to drift badly if there was no curb on the right side of the lane. This has greatly improved.
Be patient with yourself. It will just take some time.

Also, I had right eye weakness. It was corrected by surgery. I have heard that when little kids have eye problems they are really clumsy. Maybe your eye is the source of your problems. Have you tried getting a second opinion?
By the way, it took me three times to pass my driver's test. You can do it!

Blackbelt

[This message has been edited by blackbelt (edited 06-21-2001).]

I am pleading ignorance on CP and driving and am looking for help. I am editing a booklet on financial issues of independnce aimed at young adults with CP, written in collaboration with the United Cerebral Palsy Association. My personal experience is that everyone I know with CP is unable to drive. The booklet mentioned having money to buy a car. I would like to know what percentage of young adults with CP are able to drive. I initially questioned the author as possibly suggesting a use for money that will create frustration rather than help. Then I realized I just don't know to what extent this is an issue. Since I like to come from a position of knowledge, I am asking for your input to help me understand the realities of CP and driving. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

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Mandell

[This message has been edited by co840 (edited 12-10-2002).]

Drop me an email and I will be glad to give ya some info........thanks
Marc

Bisarc@hotmail.com

OK Marc, now you have me dying to know- Did you get your license?

To answer the other poster, I have mild CP and a license with no restrictions. I know other people who have CP, and those who are able to live alone, have licenses. Some of them have been restricted to driving only automatics and/or use of modified vehicles (additional hand controls), but every one of them cherishes the privilege of driving.


I suggest exploring other aspects of the issue as well. Money for the car is important, but so is having someone knowledgable regarding the DMV rules for qualifying for a license and having access to folks to modify cars and teach you how to operate the new controls.

Shaman

Nope....I havent got it yet. I do live on my own and hope to someday solve this problem. I just cant control the car over 35 MPH. I think the problem can be corrected I just need to talk with an expert on CP and driving. The people around PA are cluess.

Let me know if ya have any info

Marc

Shaman, Thanks for your reply. You are right about the other issues. The booklet I'm editing deals with the financial issues, and money for the car and insurance are obviously very important. Can you give me any input regarding the relative cost of insurance for drivers with CP? Are rates similar to all drivers, are there discounts, or extras?

I have also written Marc for his input.

Thanks again,

Mandell

Mandell-

Having a disability is not a legal reason to increase premium in California where I live. Our department of insurance has very strict rules for what can be used to determine premium such as number of years of driving experience, age, gender, miles driven annualy etc.

I do not think that charging additional premium because someone has a disability would be legal,and certainly wouldn't be moral. However, companies can (and do) charge much higher rates to NEW drivers, which I assume most of the people you will be dealing with will be. I suggest you try some of the insurance web sites like Progressive, Geiko etc. and run a few sample quotes based on your "expected user". You are going to have to ballpark the figures because rates vary so much. Here in CA it isn't unusual for a new driver to pay $100/month or more for basic liability coverage, so it ain't cheap. If they require modification of a vehicle, they are going to have to pay extra to cover the cost of the additional equipment if they want to cover the vehicle for damage so that can make it more expensive as well.

If you are interested in finding resources for helping get their license and or pricinf for modification then you need to think a little out of the box. A search for CP and driving doesn't yield much, but a search for say "paraplegic driving" seems to be more successful. Try putting in "driver rehabilitation specialist". You should be able to at least find a link. Think about contacting the Vetrans Administration. I know most of their services are for Vets only, but they are quite experienced in getting disabled vets back on the road, and seem to be willing to point you in the right direction even if they can't provide the services.

Hope this helps.

Shaman,

Thanks for the input. With over 25 years of experience in the insurance field - mostly life and health, I am generally aware of how insurance companies should calculate rates and how they must calculate them. I'm confident that you are correct that California, among many, if not all, states prohibits rate differentials based on disability, regardless of the actuarial facts. I don't know if those facts would raise or lower the rates. Having a family member who lived in a wheel chair for 34 years, and a good friend who has been in a chair since age 5, from polio, I'm aware of many of the issues for disabled drivers in general. However this booklet is specifically aimed at those with CP I need to learn more about this group. I'm glad that a number of you have been able to drive. I just want to know if talking about driving to this group is a reasonable discussion or if it creates more frustration than benefit. It was one of the very first issues mentioned.

Your input is very helpful, thanks again.



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Mandell

I got my driver's license in 1969. I knew I would need hand controls and of course no driving school was equipped for that. An instructer told me if I bought a car, had my hand controls installed, and a brake pedal on the passenger side for him (I guess that's how it is in driving schools) he would teach me in my car. Since I was working, I was able to buy the car, had the controls installed, however, I did have trouble getting the car insured since I didn't have a driver's license. Of course, I could only get a license by learning on my car! I finally did find an insurance company to insure and I don't recall having any extra charges other then being a new driver. By the way, I got my license first try and didn't have any special problems driving other then being unable to turn around to look out back window...I had to rely on the mirrors.

Mandell-

I understand your concern regarding peoples feelings on being offered a car (or help paying for it) when they may never drive. However, I think most people with CP have a very realistic view of their abilities by the time they are a teenager, and therefore there is little chance of creating "false hope" as it were.

I'm wondering how you are going to structure the program. Is the only intent to offer aid to those who seek to own/operate their own vehicle, or would you be open to providing assistance to a family so that they could provide transportation to their family member with CP? Lack of mobility is generally not a problem when you are a child because your parents or other caretakers can lift you and get you in/out of a car. My sister works for the ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens) and some of her clients have "hit a brick wall" now that they are older. They used to be able to travel with their families and used to go places, but as they have gotten older, the only place they go is to work via special bus or Dr's office via special bus etc. As the program is in a very economically depressed area, these families do not have the resources to purchase and/or outfit a vehicle to make it possible for the family to provide transportation. Would you be open to offering assistance to modify vehicles for people who would not drive themselves? I understand that you have only so many dollars to spend, but maybe it is something to think about.

Best of luck to you in moving forward with your project.