Hand controls
 

Finally got my hand controls for my cars fitted a month or two back, and am whizzing round with them like I've had them for years. It's great, my legs/feet are pretty useless (sensory motor axonal neuropathy) and I highly recommend hand controls for anyone having difficulty driving with their feet. My accelerator pedal hinges up so I have plenty of room for my feet, but the pedal can be folded down for a non disabled driver. I love it!

cheers

Raglet

That is super.... being independent and continuing with activities is good for the morale and hence for the whole medical situation.

I think the technical advancements for this modification have improved, so that more people can take advantage of hand controls.

Good for YOU!

Were they hard to get used to? My neurologist and PCP have both recommended that I look into hand controls but I have been worried that I wouldn't be able to learn how to use them. Also my hands are affected, not as much as my feet and legs, I have no sensation at all up to my knees and am losing muscle strength in my feet and legs; but I do have reduced strength and feeling in my hands, so I wasn't sure if it was worthwhile, since it may only be for a relatively short time.
I drive by keeping a close eye on the speedometer, as I cannot feel the pedal, also I have to be very careful what shoes I wear as some do not fit or slip off. I can only drive for about 15 minutes before I start having muscle spasms in my right foot and calf, and severe back pain.
I expect that I will be giving up driving altogether in the next few years, but I find discussions like this one interesting. I am 49.

Hi Susanne,

No harder than standard controls - just different. Very similar learning curve, so one might want to get used to them in an empty parking lot (like learning the first time) until proficiency & confidence build.

The places that sell/install them should have test models available for you to try, which should give you an idea if it'll be right for you.

Doc

It's like the difference between driving a manual and an automatic. I had driving lessons in a dual control car fitted with hand controls, and after about 4 lessons I was good to go. I have the push to break/ down to accelerate type which are more difficult to learn than the push/pull ones, but have various advantages, especially if you live in a very hilly area like I do.

The only thing which I DON'T like is that my drivers license has been restricted so I am only legally allowed to drive with hand controls. That annoyed me, but there's nothing I can do about it.

I do worry about my arms loosing anymore strength though as I find that the controls require quite a bit of arm strength. I have a weak left arm from a stroke (I have lupus) and it is a challenge to steer with one arm only, especially seeing it is that arm. So I may end up getting my steering modified to make it easier to steer. And holding the car on a hill with the hand controls can be demanding, but doable.

overall, I love it. Much easier than driving with my feet, which are very weak. The numbness thing has never worried me with driving, but the weakness does. I was having a lot of trouble finding the accelerator, which meant i have to make the change.

cheers
raglet

who notified motor vehicles to get your license restricted?

I wondered the same thing. Or was that one of the questions asked when you renewed your license?

My neurologist said that she really should have my driving restricted to hand controls based on my complete loss of sensation and progressive muscle loss, but when I told her that I only drive within a 6 or 7 mile radius and never on highways, she relented. Is there some kind of requirement that they report handicapped drivers? My mother, who was at 84 very confused and suffering from oxygen deprivation had been stopped numerous times by the police for erratic driving. We could not get her pulmonoloist to have her license pulled although it was obvious that she was a hazard to herself and others.