Driving

[LeeAnneB]

HI to all! I havent posted in so very long but I do visit time to time and read.
Michaela got her drivers permit yesterday and so I begin the process of turning grayer than before, LOL. She just turned 16. Just seems like yesterday I was posting on here asking questions about surgeries and getting support from this community.It has been 11 years since her Mod Quad at Texas Childrens. So here I am once again. Michaela has a LOBPI with Klumpkes and Horners Syndromes so she has very limited use of her left arm and hand. She will need a knob or what the DMV called a steering wheel grip that I can purchase at an auto parts store that clamps on the steering wheel. Have any of you had to purchase this and what has been your experience with the best one to purchase?

[jmar]

i was at an auto parts store one day to purchase one of those. there happened to be a police officer there at the time. i asked him if those were ok to put on a car since it stated on the package it was for off road vehicles only. the officer told me it was perfectly all right to put it on a car. BUT he had seen several accidents where the knob did SEVERE damage to the drivers hand and arm. and damage to the persons chest when they were slammed forward and hit it. so i decided against getting one. i drive just as well without it. the only problem i had at first with driving was closing the door. but with a bit of practice, she can learn to reach with her right hand to close the door.

[LeeAnneB]

the problem is she cant use her left hand to grip the wheel. I know we all drive with one hand at times but there are also times when both hands are needed as in sharp or fats turns.

[jmar]

i can not grip the wheel with my left hand enough to make a turn. i have adapted just fine. i drove for 30 years using both hands. it took me less than a year to totally adapt to using one hand, but i am comfortable with driving with 1 (1/2?) hands. the only real problem with driving now is the fact that i am not comfortable with driving a manual shift any more. i dont trust my left hand to have to handle the wheel alone while i am shifting gears.

dont worry. she will be fine. she has had to adapt to other things. she will find a way.

[Master DIVER TOM]

Driving a car
What JMAR stated was a very good way to drive
The issue to me is how much grasp you have and increase the ability to do so by squeezing a ball or what ever works for that person
Driving a semi with one trailer or 2 with a ten speed stick was a big challenge to adapt to with birth erbs.
Spinner knobs maybe a choose and should not be ruled out. If your in a accident the air bag will deploy and the issue of the knob hit you is less.
Electric seats to position your driving position was a real Plus in fast turns in my GTO , Diving a semi or car was a practice with hand positions on the wheel in a fast turn or maneuvering to avoid a accident is sure practice and time.
Jmar , stated right when she said that you child will do fine. Gain as much strength in a limited grasp are a is a great thing to do no matter how old you are
Every offer is a way, what works for that person trying in the end is all about what works for them for sure
Tom