Who Has Drivers License?
 

I knew this would be coming up - and wondering how all you deal with this with your docs... I just got the renewal for my drivers license - only need to take finger print, picture, and eye test - I have both a car and motorcycle license.., I havent driven in years since I got PN - I had to sell my little sportscar when I got sick even though when in the seat I could drive it (even shift) without feeling my feet (I couldnt get my wheelchair in and out of it) - I think the bucket seats gave me balance.. I bought an old handicapped van instead that has a scooter lift but it gives me vertigo to drive it so its garaged.,. I know if I ever got pulled over I could not stand up or arms out etc. - I'd fall right over... I've never had a loss of consicousness until after I hit the ground and it was due to the hitting my head when I fell - just lots of falls from the PN - and my reflexes seem ok (not reflexes in my ankles etc but as far as reacting to stiumuli)... my docs have been back and forth on this issue of driving...

I see my doc Tues and have to renew this by next month - I need to report to the state any change in health status that could affect my ability to drive - so - wondered how all of you handle this? I cannot walk into the DMV without assistance (I wouldnt lie anyway about my health as any potential liabity down the line would be awful if something happened) - I obviously no longer have the balance to ride a motorcycle - but with the right car hope to be able to drive again - at least for short distances...

Anyone had to deal with this? Do you know if I would have to start from sratch with a driving test etc. with doctors note stating my health has changed or restrictions? And, if one does get pulled over - is there something special on a license that tells the police that I'm disabled and make ammends there?

Appreciate any info - just got the notice and the date is coming up fast! Thanks!

Hi Karen
 

My GP advised me not to carry anything over 3k due to very bad back. I can hardly hold and push a full grocery trolley anymore due to my spine being in bad shape.

Sometimes I can't walk very far either. I have often thought of having a medical exam to see if I'd qualify for a disbled parking permit.

Then I have seen people with permits get out of their cars. Some are very very old, and fragile with no mobility, and they drive.

Some get out of their vehicles and straight into their wheelchairs.

I then think that I am not really disabled and don't need a permit. I just can't bear much weight and have a hard time grocery shopping. But there have been tmes when my back goes into spasm which is often, where I can hardly walk me self and I drive around in pain.

I reckon as long as I can properly control my vehicle I don't need to report nothing to nobody.

Just 3 days ago I was almost run down crossing the street by a man who looked like he was 99 in a vehicle with a disabled permit. I was crossing on a pedestrian crossing right in front of him but he did not slow down nor did he see me??:confused:

Yet he drives!!

how did your doctors get involved in your drivers license renewal? You can drive your car with hand controls and they are a few hundred dollars. If you can drive why would you report that your ability to drive is affected?

If you get pulled over and they tell you to get out of the car and want to do a filed sobriety test, tell them that you have nerve damage and cannot balance well. There are alternative tests that they do administer such as the alphabet backwards. Keep a cane or something in your car with you. If you have any id cards from state park pass, or federal park pass, or disabled public transportation pass keep it with you to show if you have to.

Many people in wheel chairs drive. you may just need to get hand controls if you feel you cant drive with using your feet.

DL
 

Hey Joe,

Doctors are required to report to the DMV certain conditions that require suspending a DL or taking it away - such as loss of consciousness or loss of function.. which they have not done but this has not come up until now.... however, when I check the box on the DMV renewal form that I've had a change in my health since my last renewal (which is rather obvious since I use wheelchair out and about and will stagger with a walker spending any time in the DMV to get this done) - I'm assuming they will want an MD statement. (and, on my disability reviews that are not related to the govenment - some docs have stated no driving, and my current docs know I am not driving)..... I couldnt afford the lifts etc for the chair for my sportscar, hand controls werent the issue.. the van doesnt give me back neck support so I get dizzy (its very old).... so for now its out..

Aussie - I do have a handicapped sticker - have for years - so that people driving me around can park close to door when we do go out... yes, there are many many people on the road that have no right to be there though! Very scary - I think the worst offenders here though have a cell phone in one hand, coffee in the other, and are going about 30mph over the speed limit at all times! To assume as a pedestrian in LA that you have right of way will very possibly leave you a flattened puddle on the road.... (sad but true) Just in my town this week they put up cameras at lights where people keep getting hit so they can try to capture the culprits on film.....

I still drive every day, but none of my family will ride with me. When I am with my wife, she does all the driving but I have to check out the groceries and whatever. She say that she does all the driving and I should do more. I volunteer to do the driving, but I get no answer.

Kmeb I can identify in some ways?
 

I had to go thru a doctor's review of sorts to get a handicapper parking tag. They report to the DMV in that how far you can walk and HOW you are impaired. Even if you don't drive, and need a 'capper sticker, your medical condition is reported to the STATE.
I would bet that if you state to your doc that you can't drive far, and only for emergencies that he'd sign off on it with those qualifications. As for going into the DMV? Can you make it in, however wobbly on a walker or w/two canes? They don't care how you walk [DMV that is] just how you mite be able to drive! And we all know that many folks drive while chewing gum and on the cell phone while slurping coffee all at once....usually at speeds 20 mph over the posted limits.
Joe, you mentioned hand controls....Few hundred dollars? Where, on e-bay? I've tried searches for such appliances and have found a minimum price of about 3-5K depending on the car! And then getting installation usually means one has to get the vehicle to whereever they [the installers] are located-meaning warranties and maintenance of this safety equipment is iffy IMHO. I do know one neuro I'd HAD suggested hand controls to me, but I asked him how would that be better, since I can't feel a pen long enough to hold the pen long enough to write my name on your check?
My own PN is severe, I have found myself getting out of the drivers' seat using my cane as a propeller to help me UP and out. A few times I found myself lucky enough to have enough feeling to realize that the cane was in the middle of my own instep as I was trying to get up. Amazing that I didn't break foot bones! Goodness knows they break if I look at them sideways. I now use different tactics getting out of cars.
Kmeb? I suppose that the best thing to do is be honest about the 'ability' to drive, and the limits you place on yourself. Then go from there? I do know in my state, I've gotten a 'capper' driving card along with the sticker. I know it states that I've MAJOR distance walking issues, but not the extent I suspect you have them. And, BTW the only time I ever got pulled over I never got out of the car? But when I went to court, and this hobbly cane leaning person wobbled down to the 'court podium', I got almost all charges dropped, but for the court fees. I do believe that traffic cop gulped BIG time when he saw me tottering!
OK Anyone out there able to find sources for 'lifts', hand controls and all other useful apparatus? I sure would like to get over the sticker-shock before I need it! You know?
Hugs to all! We all can use them now and then - j

i don't drive my uncle is able to use hand controls,but my hands are
far to bad..bob has to use a walker by can drive,so like joe i would
use cane or walker. This is a hospital town the police are use to all.
he uses one of those groicery carts the store provides,they will not let
you take them out,but will let one of the people that work there go
out with you and load the van.
our frezzers are down in the garage so I put most thngs on my lap
in the wheelchair..I get all that put away and bob get's it put away
upstairs..
aussi our neighbor is in his 90's he went out to get the mail,we have
a bike lane on a busy street,he was getting his mail and 1 of the college
kids hit him ,almost all of her car was in the bike lane,I got her no.
and she almost got me. He was fine after a few days what was scary
she thought she got away,4th ticket in 3 years i'm sure her parents
got her out of it,I can't drive i won't. he has taken me to the bank
he does a fine job.you can really tell when the college kids go home..
if anybody needs a handicap parking place they should get one.

bob and i if we need to we use the indepentant van like mel's assit
a ride.. with the cost of gas sometimes the cabs are not so bad.
i do wish,we use to,have a grocery store that dilivered..hugs to all sue

im talking about manual ones not electric such as these

http://www.quickconnectionhandcontrols.com/order.htm

http://www.wheelability.com/

its a lot easier here to get a handicapped placard, the town gives them out not the state. A doctor has to fill out a short part of the one page form.

Thanks!
 

Many thanks Joe, we all need all the help we can get.

I just wish we all had better answers for Kmeb!

I wonder if folks in other forums mite know more? Which ones tho? - j

I would imagine folks with paraplegia or perhaps with CMT may have ideas. CMT is a hereditary PN and they seem pretty organized. PNers can probably learn a lot from some of these other groups, as they are quite knowledgeable about assistive devices.

I can still drive, short distances and in known territory. Too much of me gets numb after sitting for me to rely on driving very far, not to mention sensory integration issues pop up. I try to keep my driving, not too challenging, or not to far from home. I know my limits.

I can still drive, & need to - for work service calls. I have to go to my customers who have problems to be fixed in their homes or businesses. I can still drive a ways, Yesterday I drove 2-1/2 hrs (about 200 miles) to my youngest's college to see him for the day, have dinner, & drove back last nite. My wife drove down, I drove back.
It was a tiring day, but I still can do it, when necessary.
My #2 son is a quadriplegic. There's a site for those who have spine injuries and are paras or quads- its called the CareCure Community and has a lot of info regarding hand controls for driving, and where to get them . The site is at :
http://sci.rutgers.edu/
I'm sure you can get quality info there.

Strokes too
 

You might ask in the Stroke Forum too. I'm sure they have issues that come up.

So far I don't have issues with driving unless it might be vision related. I know my limits there. I no longer drive at night. I could drive to the hospital in an emergency if it were necessary, but I would never just go out to drive unless it were absolutely necessary after dark. I drive only early in the day and problems with driving are strictly related to how much it hurts to sit that particular morning. I do a lot of shifting around in my car seat. I did find a tailbone cut out pillow that helps a lot.

When we went to Mayo, I had some issues with balance, but they seem to have come and gone. Perhaps my inner ear? Who knows. I've worked hard on nutrition.

Check with Spinal Disorders, Stroke Forums to see if they have more info. Wish I had something to tell you.

Billye

thanks
 

for feedback folks - i talked to the dmv - i have to go in - they have a special disablity area - but it is their discretion wether or not they will make me take a driving test based on my medical condition, and can require doc statement.... my car isnt even registered for street right now (too expensive to just have it sit there and pay for insurance) i'm going to have to play it by ear..... based on doc statment if required, my answers to whatever they decide to ask me (they supposedly have a disablity specialist in the office) - i'll just have see what happens... at least handicap sticker is fine - it is permanent and goes with me - not the car - so i dont have to worry about that.....

ss - i get my groceries delivered thank goodness! its very inexpensive actually when you consider how much ensure, cat litter, etc. weighs, and the store actually stocks up on my brand of ensure... the guys even put the stuff in the kitchen for me.... so thats a plus of living in la i guess!

(heyjoe - shows you the diff in the states - here in calif handicap sticker is just a form from the dmv (state) and if your doc states you are not expected to recover - they just mail a new card every two years)

will check out the other forums mentioned too - nothing to loose right?

In MD, you have to have tags that have the international wheelchair icon on it,
or a rear view mirror hanging card that is specifically handicap.
That comes with the issue of tags from the Dept of Motor Vehicles (state).
My son has not gone far enough in his therapy (less than 2 yrs post, injury-broken neck C-5) to consider him being able to drive a wheelchair equipped van with hand controls.
He doesn't have enough return in his hands, yet.
But many with his degree of severity of spinal cord injury, do drive.
The website I mentioned above is a fountain of information.

Bob:

How is your son doing?? From your post, I gather he is getting some feeling back in his hands?? That is great news.

Just wanted to ask about your son. Didn't want to hijack this thread.

Take care,

Melody

P.S. Kmeb: you have people who come in and put your ensure away for you?? That is the coolest thing I have ever heard of.

Here in Brooklyn, NY, thank god I know the grocery store delivery guy. I just about let him in my front door. Even if I have 3 boxes, no one comes into my house. Unfortunatley, I used to let them come in (in my former apartment), the next day, someone came up and stole my bike from in front of my door.

It took years for me to be able to let a delivery man near my home.

But my delivery guy is cool. I'm trying to imagine me letting him in my kitchen and putting my food away. lol

MelodY
 

It is a service I dont know what I would do without - done by a national grocery chain and I order on-line - but tracked down the local store so they carry what I need...., (I tried at first to do shopping and then get a couple blocks home in the wheelchair - but it was ridiculous - stuff falling everywhere and weighed ton!)..... they have been delivering in this area for about 5 years, I was one of the first customers, and even met with their marketing rep who was starting up the program who came out to the house and asked about specific needs and potential customers, etc...

I've had different delivery guys - but they are all great - friendly, and trustworthy... they also know my health situation and make sure they never short me on anything - or substitute since my diet is so limited - they are great and will call me that AM as they are filling the order if there is a problem...

I encourage anyone who cant get to store and if there is such a service available - to utilize.... can preserve your strength for more important things!

Kmeb:

I am utterly joyous for you. How nice that you have nice trustworthy people to do this for you.

One less load off of your mind, right?

There are probably services like that in my area. Thankfully I dont' need this, and hopefully I won't for a long time to come. I have a neighbor around the corner who is about 89. Most of the people in my neighborhood have lived in the same house for 60 years or more. The lady across the street is 99 and still goes shopping with her pushcart. Can you believe that??

Well, the 89 year old has Meals on Wheels delivered every day. Others do also. I think this is a very good idea. But I've read in the newspaper today, where they are changing the serving meals to the elderly. They want to substitute what they do now, and have them get frozen meals every day that they can pop in their microwave.

My god, can you imagine when the only meal you get a day is the one that Meals on Wheels delivers?

And they want to change the type of meal that they are delivering??

Good grief!!

P.S. And this is interesting. Among the people in my neighborhood over the age of 55 or so, NO ONE DRIVES OR OWNS A CAR. We either walk to get what we want, or have it delivered.

I have a license. My PN hasn't affected my driving other than over long distances I can become a bit uncomfortable just from sitting that long in the same position.

If I thought my PN would affect my ability to drive safely I wouldn't drive. But because of all the garbage one has to go through to get a license (Thank you Homeland Security :rolleyes:) I won't let mine lapse, ever. They'll get it back from me when they pry it from my cold dead fingers.

i try everywhere for grocery divery in columbia they use to have one that did. if you paid 50 dollars but got the blues in columbia mo they went out
of buiness..oh does any body have a good birthday present idea,for my
grandson that's not from china,india ect. something that's green. sorry
for butting in karen.
hugs to all sue

How old is your grandson? Books!! I'm a book fanatic so I always think of books. Most of my kids are readers too so that's easy for me. ;)

Video games?

Stuff
 

Melody - the food delivery is a great service - and delivery charge is only 9.95 - and they send coupons to frequent flyers like me so really free...

SS - 50 dollars is A LOT!!!!!!!!

We have a meals on wheels program here - I think they give people one hot meal a day that is prepared by staff earlier in the day - that would be awful to just toss them a frozen dinner.....

As for walking - the song "No One Walks In LA" (or thats a line from the song) - is very true - for a reason... the city is very spread out - rapid transit very rare except we are getting a rail system very slowly - the only places I've lived where one could walk were the the densesly populated financial districts or at the beach... with gas prices now more and more people are taking the rail system - a good thing - less smog maybe!

Jarrett - I feel the same way about my license! I do not want to loose it 'cause I fully intend to find a setup where I can drive again:)

kemb and j
 

k and j i don't blame you for not wanting to lose you lincense..

j he will only be 1 but he already love books,i would ratter see books
in there sweet hands then video's..i love books,and that's what i'm
getting...thamks love to all sue

When Alan had to stop driving (about 6 years ago), our lives literally took a nosedive. We could not visit friends or relatives and many people kept their distance because of what we were going through with our son.

I once asked them why, and they said "well, it makes us uncomfortable and we don' know what to say, so we say nothing".

So literally, Alan stopped driving, and we lost everybody. And because he could not work anymore, we couldn't even keep the car and get the hand brakes. Between the cost and the insurance, well it wasn't feasible.

So thank god for Access-a-ride (even though they rarely show up on time), they are the only game in town where you can go anyplace you want for $2.00.

You really can't beat that.

I had an idea once. Why can't the Access-A Ride, develop a service where it stops every few blocks (along a bus line), and it's only for people over 60 or with disability. Like the person would show their medicare card or if they have an obvious disability and could prove it.

Do you know how hard it is to get on a bus with 50 screaming school kids who push and shove?

A regular service line for the handicapped would be the most convenient thing for EVERYBODY CONCERNED.

Just imagine, you have to get from point A to Point B, and you simply wait on the bus line, and get on the access-a-ride and get off at your stop.

You just walk a few blocks (if you can walk, or you can use a wheelchair), and presto, there would be an Access-A-Ride bus stop, the vehicles would be stopping all day long, picking up and dropping off people.

I would welcome this like you would never believe.

People say this can't work, too much confusion. Why can't it work? It would only be for certain people, the kids can't get on, nobody gets shoved, they pay their $2.00. Imagine, a person could go to the mall, do their shopping. go to the grocery stores, do their shopping, THEY COULD LEAD A MORE NORMAL LIFE. without all these pre-teens and teens bumping them and hitting them with the backpacks.

Buses are murder on seniors. Absolute murder. and god forbid you are standing up, holding on to the bars (well, it wrenchs my shoulder), very painful.

They just have to add more access-a-rides.

I know this will never happen. Unless we start a petition. Even then, seniors and the disabled will never get their own bus line.

God, I would kill for an Access-a-ride Bus line.

Hey, I just thought of something. It wouldn't have to be an access-a-ride bus, it could be any old bus, (we have he new ones where you just step up), but they could have a handicapped bus line. Same route, but only for people over a certain age and people who are disabled. What a neat idea!!!

Mel,
My son is doing much better. He's always had feeling. His sense of touch wasn't affected. He just hasn't had much return of function, but is learning to function better & better with his hands and arms, utilizing what little he does have. Legs......well, that's a long shot.

Sue,
My mother-in-law lives in Columbia Mo. She doesn't drive (never has)
and is elderly- but stays independent & lives in her own condo, alone..
She calls for travel assistance and is picked up and taken to the stores or doc visits, and then is picked up from there and taken home.
They even help bring in the groceries.
(she tips- sometimes they refuse to accept the tip)
Sometimes its the local cab companies that specifically have handicap
or designated vehicles for that purpose. I think the fee is $2 or $3 per trip.
Check about it.
Here in MD, we have (in Balto and Balto Co) "Mobility" - a special arm of the MD transportation authority- that has special mini buses with lifts for wheelchairs, and seats for those who use walkers or canes. They pick up by appt., as well. Many of the buses on reg stops & routes are now equipped with lifts for wheelchairs, too.

Its so good to hear your son is doing better - he sounds like a real fighter and I cant even imagine what it is like for you to have to watch him struggle..... good thoughts and strength for both of you....

Bob:

I'm so happy for your son. May he continue to do better and better.

All the city buses in NYC, have wheelchair lifts. When 30 people are waiting to get on at the front of the bus, and there's a man in a wheelchair, well the bus driver, gets up, he tells the people sitting in those seats to "please get up, someone in a wheelchair needs to occupy this space".

What do you think their response usually is?? Not good, this I'll tell you.
And forget about when there are the other 30 people wanting to get on the bus. Do you think they give a darn about a guy in a wheelchair??

I have been on the bus when I see the bus driver (on purpose) pass up the guy in a wheelchair, when no one else in at the bus stop. One driver said "it takes too long to get it on the bus". I just looked at him. I could not believe it.

Bob,

Good to see your son is doing better. I do think that there are things on the horizon, but I am sure it is hard now, dreaming and hoping that those 'things' become reality, sooner rather than later. It sounds like he is doing what he needs to do.

Your son sounds to be a strong young man, physically and in character.

Mel

That bus idea sounds really good....there would be no confusion if they simply made them a different color, right? Maybe you should submit the suggestion to your local politicians or write an editorial for the paper. The idea makes perfect sense to me.

In.... and around.... Baltimore- if you call for a pick-up, its a special equipped smaller vehicle than a regular bus - kinda like a mini-bus or Jitney that only has 4 or 6 seats, a power lift on the side or (sometimes) the back, and room for 2 wheelchairs with tie-down gear. (Yes it does take a longer time to get a 350-400 lb. power wheelchair situated, so it won't careen across the vehicle when it makes turns or sudden stops. Hooks & straps are needed to secure it.)

About my son - a note.
He thinks he's Superman. He always did and that's why he tried to shallow dive in 3 feet of water when he broke his neck. He's a fighter, but sometimes too overconfident and too close mouthed. He won't say when he feels bad until its a trip to the ER time. (many of these) and he won't be realistic enough to be honest about his limitations. That's good in one respect- the paralysis doesn't hold him back from trying anything - but also causes him to be unrealistic and go over his abilities at any given moment.
He manages to get out of these constant minor hassles, but if he were more careful he shouldn't have gotten into the situations in the first place. 'Nuff said- don't want to hijack this thread, completely. PM me if you wanna get more stuff about his progress.

I'm going to do just that. And I shall suggest Silver Color.

Like Centrum Silver. For people of a certain age.

Excellent idea!!

Okay!!! Just wrote to the Letters to the Editor department of the New York Daily News. If they print my letter, I'll let you know. I did this once and they printed it.

What a neat idea, Thanks for suggesting it.