United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everybody. Sorry if I'm in the wrong place here but I wanted to speak about the 'Spinner Knob'.
It is irreplaceable. My Grandfather had one on his cherry '57 Chevy BelAire. In time that knob ended up on my '76 Jeep J-10, 4x4, Power everything, pickup truck.
It was invaluable off road.
Now that I am right-handed and driving a Tahoe, the spinner has proved its' necessity once again. If you never used one you don't know what you are missing. Even with power steering it assists in parking, backing and other tight turn instances. If you are concerned about having one on your steering wheel in an accident it is probably he mleast of your concerns. You can purchase one at O'Rielly's for less than $10.00. Buy one they usually will install it for you and try it out. You can always take it off...but you won't. As a matter of fact you will probably upgrade to one with ballbearings for an even smoother more durable one. Which you should do. I'm on my second and last O'Rielly's' one. I am upgrading to the one available on our UBPN Store. Good luck.
Scott

Scott,
there is never any wrong place on any Mesage Board.

I like you to share your knowledhe & experience with us. I learn alot!

Hugs,
Carolyn J


Message was edited by: Carolyn J

Mare,

I learned to drive about two and a half years ago (I'm 18). Went through drivers ed, all that. The only adaptation I have in my car now is a spinner nob. It makes driving, at least, the turning parts of driving such as u-turns and parallel parking, so much easier. The knob I use has a handy feature that let's me pop out the knob and put it back in easily so if I do decide that for some reason it's in my way, it's easy to take off. (I can get the brand for you, if you're interested - also, it doesn't cut into the steering wheel, just clamps around it, which is unusual/nice). I don't need the knob to drive, but I do like having it.

Your son will find a ways to adapt. I'm RBPI so turn signals aren't a problem for me, but windshield wipers were initially so I understand. I just keep the steering wheel low so I can use my knees to hold it while I reach across and/or I slide my hand around the wheel to get to them. It's become such a habit that I don't even think about it anymore.

Good luck to you and Frankie! I remember my mom being terrified when I started driving, I think it may have been more stressful for her than it was for me.

Well Frankie is getting an A in his driving class but thats just the book part he starts the driving Feb 1st still holding my breath. Yes I'll take the name of the company who make the knob thats removable. I like the idea of the voice activaction but Frankie's aunt gave him a 1967 firebird and I don't know if it could be installed and he wants his muscle car nothing else Thanks Mare

Hey mare. I drive my automatic completely 1 handed. I turn using my palm and spin the wheel with it. When I use the blinkers I just hold the bottom of the wheel steady with my BPI arm and signal with my right hand. Some people reccomend spinner knobs but I see no need for it. Whatever the case Im positive Frankie will find a way around his obstacles just as I did.

(19, Male, Left arm BPI)

Dear Loft and everyone else you were all right Frankie has been driving since March and is doing great at 1st it was hard my truck has the transmission shifter on the console not the steering wheel so he had to stop shift then go and some people like to be impatient and beep there horn but he just ignores them. He said he'd like to give them the finger but again he would have to stop the car to let go of the wheel, Thanks Mare

I lol'd at your last post. Frankie and I probably have alot in common. Just keep him behind the wheel as much as possible and he will get more and more comfortable and more confident.

Mare,

I learned to drive on an automatic (permit at 16yrs old)My father taught me to drive a manual trans. car and that is all I prefer to drive since(more control of the vehicle and less boring) I am LOPB injured and actuate the turn signals like carolyn by reaching with my right through the steering wheel hole....it has become 2nd nature to do that and i'm now making a conscious effort to try with my affected arm....a good exercise to try and reach....

I tell him to reach through the steering wheel to reach the blinker but he has to do it his way and reach over the wheel he feels he has more control this way. So I tell him what ever works for you but if you wreck it you bought it. Mare