United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Yes its true I'm that old I have to admit it now that Frankie just started driving and I feel bad about having my doubts and being so nervous. He is actually very good of course he went through a driving school. In NJ parents aren't allowed to teach their kids how to drive what a relief to both Frankie and I. Now the fun starts he can't drive without a parent for a year so I finally get to say take me here drive me there just like he has done for yrs. I must say getting older has its advantages.
Mare

lol Mare...We only need 6 month with a parent here then we can get our lisence...Have fun ordering him around I am sure he will enjoy it at least in the begining.
Hugs,
Amy 22 ROBPI from MN

It's great hearing from you Mare and Amy too. I miss you both!

Hooooray for Frankie and you too Mare. Now is the time to get even, huh Mom!...LOL

((((HUGS))))
Carolyn J
ps...Is Frankie on Facebook?? I AM & it's great way to kep in touch.

Mare....this is brings up many interesting questions. I don't remember which side Frankie's injury is on. If it's on his right side, does it affect his ability to drive? Does he drive an automatic or stick shift? When he takes his driver's test, do they note on his license that he has BPI? Will he need any special accessories on his car/truck? Tyler is less than a year away from getting his "learner's permit" in MO and he has a ROBPI which will affect how he shifts and even turns the key on. It's still too soon since his TT surgery to tell if he will be able to do some of these things or if he'll need special accessories on his vehicle. I'm interested in hearing how other adults & teenagers with a right arm injuries get along driving.

Donna

Donna -

Hi! I'm a RTBPI and just got my license a couple years ago. (I'm 18, almost 19) I only drive automatics, and I use a steering nob to help with turning, but other than that, I didn't require any adaptations. If need be, I can drive without the steering nob (I've driven my friends' cars), but it definitely makes turning, especially in parking, easier. There's nothing on my license about my BPI, but my state (Kansas) is aware of it. Turning on the car isn't a big deal, you just have to reach around. Initially I did have problems with the windshield wipers, but I've learned how to both use my knees to hold the steering wheel and to get my hand across the steering wheel in order to turn them on.

My parents and I were worried a few years ago, too, but it turned out that I actually needed very little. A lot of it is just getting comfortable with your car and figuring out where things are.

I would recommend radio/music controls on the steering wheel if possible, but that's by no means a necessity. It just means that I don't have to wait until a stoplight to change the station.

(For what it's worth, I drive entirely one-handed because I don't have enough use in my right arm/hand for it help at all.)

I sometimes worry about when Jojo starts driving. But, when he drives in 14 years, he will probably just sit back and tell the car what to do. Wouldn't that be nice, autopilot!

My injury is LOBPI and I learned to drive without any assistive devices. I have to reach thru the steering wheel for some things like turn signal and head light dimmer switch. I wish I had one of those classic cars with the dimmer switch in the floor board. Seems like a good excuse to buy an old muscle car some day ;.)

When I went for my driving test(back in the late 1980’s) the Georgia State Patrol put automatic transmission and power steering on my license as restrictions. But when I went to have it renewed, several years later, the only restriction left on it was for glasses/ contacts. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed about a year before my license had to be renewed. This might be the reason for them leaving off these two restrictions. I’ve learned how to drive a manual transmission since that was taken off and my current car is a five speed manual.

Here is the UBPN link for vehicle modifications. http://ubpn.org/ubpnweb.nsf/web/vehiclemod.html

I learned and drive automatic only without restrictions.I can use my left hand in the steering wheel, I do lights by putting my hand thru the steering wheel like Chris.I just make sure every car I drive has everything else on the right.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/70

Hey Chris:
I'm the parent of an LOBPI...but I want that old muscle car....does that count!!!!!! maybe we could find two of them....

claudia

I drive a 67 camaro(its a manual and has no power steering) and it does have the headlight switch on the floor and its great!!!

Evan/18/LOBPI