United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have a TLBPI and I drive an automatic car. The only adaptions to the car are a ball on the steering wheel and extensions to the indicators that come down at a right angle and I knock them with my knees. Do other people use the same adaptions? The reason for asking is that I had these extensions specially made (by a very bemused mechanic) years ago and they're really not very good. They were made for a previous car and tend to work loose. Does anyone know anywhere in the UK (preferably in the North) to buy this type of adaption?? Thanks )

Hi Pete, sorry to take so long to answer-if you post as a guest your post can take many days to appear, (yours took 5!) then unfortunately it doesn't appear with a red dot at the end, so people don't notice it.
There are several companies in the UK who make a steering ball with the indicators etc built into it as switches, several of the UK tbpi have them, I'll give em a kick so they'll post the website address for you. I want one but it's expensive, tho someone told me you can get em second hand (haaaaaa bpi joke :0)

Hi Pete.

5 DAYS for this to show up???????? Good God.....!

Anyway. I had my adaptions done back in September 2001. I used the very very cool and useful gadget made by Lodgesons. It basically comprises of a steering ball and a keypad with a varying number of buttons (depending on your needs. I personaly went for the Nine button jobbie) to control the cars functions via uses Infra Red

You can find their website at www.lodgesons.co.uk.

I had it fitted by a company just off the M25 in Welwyn Garden City near London called Brig-Ayd (01707 322 322) They charged £580 for the supply and fitting of the thing to my automatic BMW, although I was told the price does not vary much from car to car. I was told by Brig-Ayd that to have the device transferred to aother car would only (!) cost £200 though. So the bulk of the initial price is obviously for the unit itself.

I have to say the device is fantastic and well worth the money. Even my Dad (with his two arms and all) likes using it in my car!

Try looking at the Lodgesons website and give them a call. They'll send you out an information pack with loads of details on the unit and they'll include a list of fitters in your area if you ask.

Hope this helps. Email me if there's any other information you want or need.

Marc

Sorry........Forgot.

It might be worth calling Brig-Ayd anyway because they do purpose built "arms" like the one you describe. Would probably be a cheaper option from the Lodgesons seeing as you're used to driving with this kind of thing.

Marc

Me again!!!!!!!!!!

Just thought you might be interested in Brig-Ayd's website. Got some useful info on there.

http://www.brig-aydcontrols.co.uk/home.htm

Marc (hopefully the last time!!!!)

Hi Pete, I drive my automatic car with a steering knob aswell, & it has a box on it aswell for all your controls, lights, indicators, wipers, screen wash, horn, hazard lights, & it lights up in the dark. If you don't use your controls within 10 mins the little light goes out so you don't run the battery down( the battery in the little box) so here's the web site address "WWW.LODGESONS.CO.UK" I hope this is helps.

bigsel

Does anyone know of a north american company doing driving adaptations ? Preferably in Canada ?

I'm right bpi so the blinkers, hi beams, etc are not a problem. My wipers are the problem, being on the right I tend to take my good hand off the wheel to manipulate them ?

Any ideas ??

Thanx, Mike

Lots of us companies do adaptions (usually have mobility in the title of the company somewhere) and the car companies even pay part of the cost. I've put a web page up on the ubpn site about my experience with this.
http://ubpn.org/ubpnweb.nsf/web/vehiclemod.html

Nancy

mikey, i do the same thing but i'm aware it's not really adequate....the indicators are on the same side as my good arm but they don't move with the steering wheel, there are times when i need to indicate and i can't.....for safety's sake i've got to get one of those boxes....imagine giving someone else a bpi....or worse....

In my car everything is on the left which is my bpi side. So I stick my good hand through the steering wheel and hold the wheel with my legs works good when I am going straight but a huge problem otherwise.
Anybody know of American adaptations that are like this?