Just make sure they specifically say for car keys, because some of the door key turners are too bulky to use in a car ignition. Or if you win the lottery, just buy one of the newer cars with a push-button start.
As for turning your head, maybe there are some mirrors you could add to be sure you're not missing anything. And I bet they make some things that would help with the steering wheel grip too.
Thanks innerglow! The mirrors I am not sure about because I would more than likely be taking my driving test in MIL's car. It is smaller to manuver for the 3 point turn, than our car is.
Well... I got a while before I even really decide on if I want to pursue getting my driver's license or not. I am going to wait until it warms up a bit and to see if the Remicade will get straightened out a little more.
It was just one of those things that I just lay awake at night and think about while trying to fall asleep. Besides... it kinda hurt my feelings when I told daughter I could not go with her on her field trip, because I would not have a way to get to school or back home. So, she told me to hurry up and get my driver's license and I told her I could not really drive right now. She started to cry because I could not go with her.
Well... it is not that funny, the failing for using both hands to start the car. Because like hubby pointed out it just shows that I am not the best person to be operating a car due to my health issues.
I do not drive that much as it is. Last time I drove was a month ago, and then I had to stop somewhere so hubby could drive because it was killing my back/neck/shoulder area. I have maybe driven a handful of times since getting my permit. I just barely passed the written test, 2 answers off from failing. *shrugs shoulders* I could not concentrate because when I took the written test I was not doing well RA wise, so I had a lot of pain and swelling and everything else that goes along with untreated RA.
Thanks for the ideas.
contact the Alabama office for disabilities and see what resources they have to offer you both assessing your needs as a driver and what adjustments need to be made to a car (and possible financial assistance)
more information
Joonie, I'm sure I'll take sh*t for this, but oh well. Perhaps you shouldn't be driving a car. If you are not able to turn your neck all the way, or turn the stirring wheel easily all the time, etc., it sounds dangerous to me. You are putting yourself, your children and innocent people in danger.
You have to be constantly able to handle any situation on the road. You have to be able to look to your sides quickly, put on the brakes, etc. Perhaps I feel strongly because someone chose to go to a ball game and stay up for 24 hours, made the stupid decision to drive, fell asleep and smacked into me, causing me to hit the person in front of me. 2 surgeries, 5 bulging discs later and some life-long injuries screwed up my life. People have to be responsible for things they do.
I'm willing to take the heat here, and I know Joonie has a disability, like we all do...however, trying to "trick" the officer that gives you your license by doing it on your "best" day, "after your shot", is pure crap. If Joonie is in a situation on the road and has to be able to react quickly and can't, someone will be hurt or possibly killed. Be responsible.
I agree with you..that is why I suggested she contact the state for an assessmentI think Joonie should at least try. If she fails, it may be a way of acknowledging the extent of her disability.. on the other hand if she passes it gives her the illusion of freedom and power (in a good way)
I have my license.. I know there are many days when I can't drive , so I dont.
I think Buckeye has some excellent recommendations. Find out exactly what is available in the way of accomodations..after all many people with disabilities drive, and quite safely.
But Jooonie make sure you get a LOT more practice under your belt. The test shouldnt be to see if you have a clue, but instead to verify that you are a safe and knowledgable driver.
[QUOTE=kathy_in_wlsv]I think Joonie should at least try. If she fails, it may be a way of acknowledging the extent of her disability.. on the other hand if she passes it gives her the illusion of freedom and power (in a good way)
Good luck!
In the UK but you have to have an assessment if you dont meet certain criteria... like being able to turn your head, hands on the steeringwheelPersonally I think that if you can't turn your head or handle the steering wheel, you shouldn't be driving. It's not right to take the lives of others in your hands like that.
I know that sounds harsh, I just think about what I do if my daughter was killed by someone who physically couldn't do things required for safe driving. I'd want to kill that driver. I know you want to drive, their were many many days that I couldn't before my meds kicked in and I hated that. Still, it's not just you you have to think about.
Linncn2008-02-09 11:03:23I agree that Joonie shouldn't drive if she's not able to do so safely, but I do not think that taking the test on her "best day" is tricking anyone. For example, if she has two good days every week after her shot, then maybe she can safely drive two days a week. Or if some assistive devices help her, then maybe she can drive safely when she otherwise couldn't.
I think it is awfully difficult to assess someone's ability to drive via message posts. We don't know exactly how far she can turn her head, what a good days is like versus a bad one, etc. I think the suggestion of getting local resources to perform an assessment was a great one.
Joonie, I think it is wonderful that you are thinking positively about the Remicade and your abilities and your future. It must have been difficult to see your daughter get upset like that, just be sure not to let that sway you from being realistic and using good judgement. If you think you will be able to drive safely, even if that means you'll only be able to drive one day a week, then I think you should try getting licensed. If not, then maybe it is something you consider again further down the road.
[QUOTE=joonie]
Turning my head to look back. If I sit too long in one position my neck gets really tense and stiff and I can not turn my head at all.
Turning the stirring wheel. I have a hard time turning the stirring wheel for turns. It is because of my lack of grip and my elbows not extending all the way out like they should.
I am just wondering if they could fail you for not being able to start the car, and not being able to turn your head enough to look behind you?
I wasn't making an assessment of Joonie's skills, I was going by her own assessment of her skills.
I understand that you are going by what Joonie said. But...
[QUOTE=joonie]
Turning my head to look back. If I sit too long in one position my neck gets really tense and stiff and I can not turn my head at all.
Turning the stirring wheel. I have a hard time turning the stirring wheel for turns. It is because of my lack of grip and my elbows not extending all the way out like they should. [/QUOTE]
How long is too long in one position? Ten minutes or four hours? What does "at all" mean? Does it mean can't turn it without discomfort, or physically can't turn it more than 10 degrees, or what?
Would the lack of grip be an issue if she had one of those steering wheel knobs?
And are these issues all the time, or only on bad days? Could she get physical therapy to help with these specific issues? Could she drive for short periods without a problem, but not long drives? Etc, etc, etc.
All I'm saying is that even based on what Joonie said, I still can't tell if she could drive safely or not.
PS - I don't think anyone is questioning the safety just to be mean or harsh...I think they are genuinely concerned and it is a critical issue.
Well, I had not considered any kind of aids, I don't even know what kind are out there. I guess I'm mostly going by what she said and my own experience. Last year before the meds, I could easily deteriorate to the point of being uable to drive in as little time as an hour. I couldn't take my daughter anywhere (like say, to youth group or cheer practice) unless I had an alternate ride home lined up "just in case". I could depend on myself to get her there, but I couldn't guarantee I'd be able to get her home again. Even now when my shoulder or wrist flares, I don't drove. I could probably do fine if nothing out of the ordinary happened, but what if someone cut me off or I had to manuver out of the lane really quickly? I don't feel confident that I can do that so I don't drive when I'm flaring like that.
Joonie said that her neck and wrists are really messed up on her "good" days so I'm thinking that her good days would be more like my bad days when I won't drive. But, if their are aids to help with those things and make them doable and keep her and others safe while driving, then yeah, give it a go.
The wife of a friend of mine had a stroke several years back, and she had permanent partial paralysis on her left side. She spent over a year in rehabilitation, and even regained the ability to drive, with modifications to the family van. She still can't walk without a walker, but she is able to drive.
Well it is funny Joonie, because if you think about, why does it matter HOW you start the car? It doesn't. It has nothing to do with the actual driving of the car. It's just silly, that's all.
And for those of you trying to be sweet about the issue of "should she be driving? oh we can't base that on message board posts" It comes down to this - you're debating it because it's not just about Joonie. It's about US, everyone with a disability. So PLEASE debate it. It's important, even if it gets a little hairy.
These are the kinds of issues that people are "afraid" to talk about, and then instead of doing or saying what is right, they let it go and some gets hurt. Or killed. Or worse. (yeah that's right, WORSE!! LOL)
Katie, why don't you just call my name because I was the only one saying that. I'm not saying it to be sweet, I'm just acknowledging what we don't know and not making assumptions. I think everyone who has any kind of issues whatsoever should evaluate whether they are safe to be driving. I don't think it requires a debate, but I am not afraid to talk about it.I wasn't talking about you, hun. Sure you said it first, but everyone else hinted at it. Hell, you all beat me to it. LoL
I'm just saying, stop tip-toeing. This is a really important subject, I'd hate to see it get passed over because people think we're just talking about Joonie. Cause we're not. It's like when we got on the subject on if the elderly should be able to drive.
Except that this one hits way more close to home. Ya know?
It is an important subject, but let's not hijack Joonie's thread with it. I started a general safety discussion here:
Thanks Suzanne, you're right that's much better. :)
Thanks for the replies everyone!
How long is too long in one position? About 20 - 30 mins.
What does "at all" mean? It means that I cannot turn my head if I needed to, I have to build up to it turning fully. And sometimes if I do not turn my head slowly and gradually, everything will go black for a second or two and then it clears up again to where I can see. But it does not do that all the time, just when my neck is really really stiff and tense.
Would the lack of grip be an issue if she had one of those steering wheel knobs? I would not know, because I do not even know what a steering wheel knob is.
And are these issues all the time, or only on bad days? Yes seems to be all the time, but all to varying degrees depending on when meds wear off and flares which makes them worse.
Could she get physical therapy to help with these specific issues? Probably, but I think more is wrong with my neck than physical therapy could fix.
Could she drive for short periods without a problem, but not long drives? I would never drive long drives, mostly within a 30 min radius. I do not drive now, because I have not been doing so well.
I am (kinda) scared of cars. For a loooong time I would close my eyes when I would feel like there was going to be an accident. I still do at times. I get really nervuos when the passenger, but not the driver.
In high school, I took driver's ED, but I got a C in the class. I got a C because the year before I was in an accident where we wrapped around a tree. I was already kinda skidish of cars, but that put me over to scared. I was not neccessarily a bad driver, I was more of freaking out. So... I did not get to drive the Driver's ED car anymore after I put the breaks on and closed my eyes bracing for impact.
Yeah... I do not do that now. I have come to terms with driving. Hubby is a nervous passenger, but he asks me to drive and my driving does not bother him. I drive way better than he does, well follow the road rules more than he does. My brother who teaches people to drive school buses said I was a good driver. He would not lie because his occupation is all about safety and the safety of others.
This getting my driver's license talk has been going on for about 3 years now
Me, myself... I have faith in my driving when I have someone else in the car with me. I do not think I would be able to drive with just me and my kids in the car, because they annoy even an experienced driver who has been driving for over 40 years.
So, yeah... I am disabled and have to depend on others. It keeps becoming increasingly clearer and clearer each time I have to decide on decisions like this.
Joonie, you should contact the county add see if they provide transportation. Our county has transit (rarely) for the public, but then also uses it for the disabled. In that area, they rock. We had a deaf girl who worked at the daycare, they brought her to work and took her home everyday. And it wasn't a service that was really announced, either. In fact, if I hadn't known her I'd probably still be clueless that it existed. Call 'em and ask!
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