Driving eval & hand controls - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

Steffers2318 · 07-07-2006, 08:44 AM

Hi,

I'm in the process of making an appointment to get a driving evaluation (because I don't want to depend on someone else or Access for rides the rest of my life if I don't have to

). As I understand it, a PT and OT examine you to see if you are physically capable of driving and if you'd need adaptive equipment, and then they take you for a behind-the-wheel assessment. Has anyone done this before? (On the preliminary paperwork, they asked if I had "spasm/startle reflex"...I thought, "Hmm, I could definately see me not being able to drive because of that." Guess we'll see, though.)

Anyway, if I am able to drive, I'm almost positive I'll need hand controls. BUT I would have to share my mom's car. Do any of you know if hand controls can be put on a car and my mom or whoever could still use the pedals?

bisarc · 07-07-2006, 08:45 PM

YES THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTROLS......BUT, GO THROUGH OVR ( I SEE U ARE FROM PA. THEY WILL PAY FOR IT ALL, JUST TELL THEM ITS FOR SCHOOL AND EMPLOYMENT. HERE IS THE SITE

[url]http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/browse.asp?a=128&bc=0&c=27855[/url]

route66 · 07-10-2006, 04:06 PM

Steffers,
Absolutely! My wife and I own a Maxima and a Saturn coupe. Both have hand controls, and the pedals are still there so she can use her feet (she prefers to drive barefoot, so that's a good thing). The hand controls mount underneath the steering column and have shafts that attach above the brake and accelerator pedals. The stipulations are that the car MUST have automatic transmission, and power brakes and steering are highly recommended.

raeam · 07-16-2006, 12:38 PM

I have had evaluations and used hand controls over the years. Unfortunately the person that tested me did not want me to continue driving. I was taked out for a test the last time in the snow i was very nervous and I became startled once (when I wasn't driving) and he said I had a significant startle reflex. I thought I had a good to pass his standards this last time to train to get a license. I feel that they just gave up on me he said I was a fast learner and I have the capability to drive the car. I need help with changing lanes and practicing turns. My visual tracking is ok. He basically told me that I could not suceed ever (not in those exact words but I got his meaning. He said go to dr to find out what I should do if I could improve at all but I was never referred to a dr he just recommended that I not pursue driving at all and said good luck and connect the dots. Any suggestions would be welcome as to whether or not I should go to someone else should I just give up. I had the same person twice for the same test. Most people I know don't believe I can do it only a few. I am tried of people telling me I can't drive because I know I can I was driving although it wasn't in the best weather conditions. The person I had was very impatient also. I have good vision but my balance is not always I do process things a little slower than others but I can learn.

route66 · 07-16-2006, 01:14 PM

Raeam,
You should definitely seek out someone else who specializes in teaching the disabled to drive. I had an awesome teacher in Albuquerque (my hometown), and I can still hear him in my head sometimes (20 years later). I was very nervous the first couple of weeks after getting my license and buying my first car (1983 Chevette), and I had close calls every day for a week. In 20 years I've had five minor fender benders, and two were rear enders that were not my fault (they hit me). I've been pulled over several times for speeding and not stopping for a right turn at a red light, but my record has been clean for over eight years now (knock on wood!). Since 1986 I've owned six cars, and rented a Taurus with hand controls in Houston several years ago (fast car!). I attended college in Tulsa, and drove the 700 mile trip from Albuquerque many, many times by myself. I've also driven about half of Route 66, and drove from NM to CA and NY in separate trips.

So don't give up yet. Get a second evaluation.