United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

haha ellen I know what you mean-and believe me that's not just a US thing! People also seem not to know what their mirrors are for, either-other than to check their makeup.....eeeeek!

Altho I was 21 when I got injured, I had not passed my car test, before the bpi I got around by motorcycle. So I had to take the test one armed but I had to use adaptions, altho these were relatively minor (an extending arm to the indicator, a spin ball and obviously an auto shift-the same adaptions I use today). Thinking about it, if I'd had the option, maybe I would have chosen to go the unadapted route out of (for want of a better word) vanity. Í didn't really think adaptions were that big of a deal until I had my own kids. Now , because I was badly injured by a nice, kind driver who just wasn't really paying attention that day (I'm not being sarcastic-he WAS a nice guy and devastated at what a moments inattention had done to someone else ie me) I know how easily it happens in a split second and I don't want to risk doing that. Kids just make you think about that stuff.

Great thread, it's lovely to be able to disagree without fighting :0)
Court, if I can I'll be at Squires 05, it's a loooong way and it's very expensive, but I'll do my best :0)

I would like to be a police officer who gives tickets only for no use of tickers (turn signal) I hate when peeps do that! I figure I am driving with one arm, most of them are driving with two, how is it that I can manage it but they cant? haha I really thing that the car manufactures put the mirrors for makeup and hair, dont you? haha That is one thing that I deffo use more since my wreck!!

Thanks for the use of the word VANITY Jenny that was exactly the word i was trying for earlier but it just wouldnt come to me! I am stilli n that vanity phase I think and can see it not fading to fast! How do you get past that?

Ellen I can understd John 100% I am the same way!!

I am like that at home though too even with things that others cant see. I remember some talk on here before about peeps asking for food to be cut in a restaurant before it is brouguht out.... great idea but me personally, I could never do that! Pride maybe stupidity some will call it but I just cant see myself doing that! i posted on the UK boards that I did finally indulge in crablegs for the first time in 3 1/2 years ..... they were great but damn did I ever make a mess!! The waiter was great about it, I very very briefly explained to him the arm hense the mess, he said he makes that big of a mess even with 2 good arms! Made me feel a bit better!

Call it vanity, pride, ego, whatever, I need some help with mine! When do you get past all of that and just say screw it!?

I will add my thanks with Jenny... great that we can disagree without fighting!

COurt xx

One last observation about turn signals & I'll (try to) shut up. I was venting recently at work about drivers who don't signal, and was enlightened as to the main reason why: if you use your turn signal, the drivers in the next lane will close the gap to keep you from merging. So my work friend doesn't signal since that way there will be space for him to move into. Go figure!

Ellen

Hi everyone, wow what an interesting topic this has been. Have been appreciative of everyone's views and comments. Would like to add just a few of my own on the subject.
In regards to Michael driving, here in Australia as I suppose it is in New Zealand things have to be done by the book or the consequences could be serious. Before Michael even gets back out on the road into a car or on a bike as for that matter, he has to get clearance from his Dr. At this stage after asking recently Michael will not be given clearance for a while yet due to the pain factor. He has to have managed his pain really well before he can get behind the wheel of a car. After getting clearance he has to be tested by the roads and traffic authority in a vehicle that he would be driving all the time, with full modifications that are required for his, as I hate to say it "disability". As Michael is right arm dominant and this arm sustained bpi injury, he would have to have "blinkers', lights etc all on left side (or stick across steering wheel to left hand side) etc and would need to be an automatic car. Once approved by rta, Michael would have to have a special license issued stating that he was a "special" needs driver. Not only these issues have to be covered, but if Michael does not go throught the right channels, no insurance company would even look at insuring him, one because he is under the age of 25 and two because he has a special provision.
I would not even think of letting Michael get behind the wheel of a car here in Aussie (especially Sydney) without going through all the right channels. I would hate to think of the consequences if he was to have an accident, injuring himself or anyone else for that matter. We have been there once and would not like to have it happen again. When Michael had his motorcycle accident he had a passenger on the back. Granted his passenger got off light regarding injuries, only three dislocated toes, requiring surgery to straighten them out. Due to this we have been put through the grinder regarding the insurance company, police and court so we know what it's like.
Michael is biting at the bit to get back out on the road and be mobile again, but he knows he has to bide his time and follow procedures. In the meantime he has a lot of good mates, caring family and friends to drive him everywhere (yes and the old sometimes reliable public transport). Well guys sorry such a long post. Happy and safe driving to you all....regards Narelle & Michael

Thank you all so much with your thoughts and ideas about driving.

This has all got me into thinking about looking into what I have to do in this state, Florida.

You are all so helpful...thanks again

Pat

Pat,

I live in Arkansas & have a RTBPI. The Hosp. contacted DMV when I came in and they took my license away. When I recovered, I wanted to drive again. So I called DMV to find out what I had to do to get it re-instated. The Dr had to verify that I was recovered and I had to go to the rehab hosp and take their driving evaluation test. They test your reflexes and your driving skills. They had me drive without any aides, then with the spinner ball. I was able to drive without the ball but I felt like I had much more control of the turns with the spinner ball. Rehab called the DMV and gave me such a glowing recommemdation that DMV called me at home amd told me my license was re-instated as of that minute. I've been driving with the spinner ball ever since. That's the only adaptation I needed. I have to wait for a stop light or pull over if I have to change the temp or radio station.

Hope all goes well for you.

SusieKaye

Court,

I agree with you...it is hard to give in and ask someone to cut my food. I finally got hungry enough that I got over my stubborness and asked for help.

Pat

Man, them gals from across the big water do get fired up about this wild-west driving show we've got going over here. Yes, it did take awhile for me to get back behind the wheel, and I won't even tell you what I was driving when I did, but put it this way-it would probably been easier to drive the bike. At any rate I got over that, but like you I still drive one-handed, it was that or sit out here in the middle of nowhere and rot, so drive I have. I would gladly get some adaptations though, if I could find them, and afford them--vanity really doesn't bother me much anymore, you'll get over it. The thing is don't worry about it, the self-consious thing just sort of melts away. I doubt whether it will make any difference if you try to hold on to it or not; one day you'll be out in a restaraunt eating crab legs and making a big mess and you just won't care-- I don't
As far as the driving thing goes, the only bright spot for the girls across the water is that I find thatI pay alot more attention to what I am doing now that I am only driving with one hand--and I never use a cell phone. And another hint; if you ever see a biker drivin by--don't wave. Onepaw

Jenny and Liz are very passionate about the driving thing; Jenny has explained herself and with great reason, I have never been to NZ but have to the UK and can totally understand Liz! Marc, he doesnt post here anymore (lives in the UK) has given me crap for not adapting my car. When I was in the UK this past summer, I can see why he felt this way! I would be uncomfrtable driving over there with no adaptations, I htink, cant say till Im there. The roads over there are so curvy, nothing like they are here.

I did take the plunge and eat the crab legs and damn it I loved the mess I made!

COurt xx

It's not the roads Court, here they are straight and empty-only 4 million of us in a country bigger than the UK. What's made me passionate is two things, firstly, having my own kids (anyone who injured one of them would have to leave the country) and being involved in brachial plexus support for 5 years. Liz and I both get the emails from newly injured, scared people in awful pain, many of whom never post here or on the UK board. It can get very depressing, and when so often it's the same old story of a totally avoidable road accident it does get depressing. I'd like to get less!
I'm sure Liz would answer too but she's currently in midair travelling downunder for a visit!!! yeahhhhh!!!

Onepaw, funny you say that about waving to bikers-it took me a long time to break myself of the habit!
Jen NZ