How do you convert a car for a handicapped driver?

Waterfish · 06-01-2006, 01:36 PM

This weekend my wife broke her right foot. The foot is in a cast now, and the doctors are evaluating the X-rays to determine if she will need surgury (place a screw in the fracture). She will be in a cast for up to 8 weeks, and she is not supposed to put any weight on the foot.

Are there kits available to temporarily convert a car for a handicapped driver? She could use her left foot for the brakes, but would probably need a hand throttle to bypass the foot throttle. Any ideas?

wthr4d · 06-01-2006, 03:26 PM

home conversion?? that sounds dangerous! cant she just drive with her left foot? I assume its an automatic...

Paul

Reel_Big_Fish · 06-01-2006, 03:45 PM

I've never heard of a home convertion and as the post above me said, it doesn't sound safe. I broke my right ankle a few years back and drove with my left. Took a little adjusting to the brake, but that was about it.

rockn'reel · 06-01-2006, 04:28 PM

There are kits as my friend in a wheelchair can attest to. You push down for brake and you twist for throttle like a motorcycle. and you also get to use the suicide handle on the steering wheel. This would not be very cost effective though. It was very expensive approx. $1000-1500. Not exactly a thing you can make at home but you might be able to buy it and install it yourself for cheaper.

Bonita · 06-01-2006, 05:34 PM

Trying to rig something up would be very dangerous, and probably illegal since it alters safety equipment on the vehicle.
I would recommend, if you are going to do the conversion, to have it done professionally - but that's a permanent thing probably. You might be able to rent a hand controlled vehicle from (I don't know who), might be worth checking into.

edit:
I just did a little search and found that lynx controls and wheel ability have portable hand control kits reasonably priced (add .com to get their websites)

Katie Ann II · 06-02-2006, 07:06 AM

a broken ankle is hardly handicapped, kindof insulting to those who truly are! take the bus, ask a friend to take you, or stay at home.
Shelly

Waterfish · 06-02-2006, 08:50 AM

Katie Ann II, Maybe I used the wrong terminology to describe an injury that resulted in crutches, a cast, and potential surgery. But if calling that a �handicap� insults you, you need to take a chill pill!

Fish Wheels · 06-02-2006, 11:52 AM

You can rent vehicles with hand controls from Enterprise. I've done so. You can also buy hand controls for about $300.00 brand new and istall yourself if you can find someone to sell you the controls. I have installed in all my vehicles except my current Ranger as ford was going to reimburse anyways. Cost about 6 bills to have it done at Performance Mobility. I'd just call them, in NW PDX and inquire as to whats available for a temporary fix.
my.o2

Troutinator · 06-02-2006, 12:02 PM

When I broke my right leg/ankle I just used the cast for throttle and left foot braked... it really wasn't a big deal. Much better to have the good foot for braking! You can control the throttle reasonably well just by planting the heel of the cast close to the pedal then pivoting on the heel by moving your upper leg forward.

It works. Before you spend a ton of time/money on it take her out to a parking lot and let her decide if it's workable as is.

Troutinator · 06-02-2006, 12:04 PM

Katie Ann... chill. If it was not a handicap, albiet temporary, the DMV wouldn't issue temporary handicap parking permits.

Now take a deep breath and enjoy the fact you can....

Seefood Man · 06-02-2006, 03:48 PM

To answer your question. I installed several of those in the early Seventies. They were pricey then and I'm sure they are as well now. They do take getting some getting use to and is is necessary to practice driving with it for quite a while before attempting it in open traffic. Cost wise the Empire deal would probably be a good bet. But I think just calling in a few favors might be the safest thing to do. Hope she heals quickly.

Don Becker · 06-02-2006, 07:52 PM

Gee, what's she gonna' do with the crutch while she's driving? Just have her poke the gas pedal with the crutch and brake with the left foot. She couldn't be any more dangerous than 50% of the supposedly "able-bodied" drivers out there.

'Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

I do hope it heals fine and soon for her. Actually, this is an interesting thread. I learned some things I wasn't aware of; like availability of kits and rentals. Best wishes. Don

CMallardDrake · 06-03-2006, 11:27 AM

Hey Waterfish...

I've been driving with "hand controls" for over 20 years now and the permanent ones in the rigs I drive are easy to learn and use. But...to put them in is not an easy task and they are pretty expensive. Mine have always been put in by those who do such things for a living.

But...many years ago, I bought a set of "portable" hand controls that could be put on most any vehicle and used on a temporary basis. They looked pretty "mickey mouse" but I could see how they would work. I got them in a closet somewhere and never, ever used them. I got them to use if I ever flew somewhere to visit family and I could set them up on my brother's car and use while in his area. I never have used them though and not sure what closet they ended up in.

Got them from "Care Medical/Care Lift" in PDX I believe so I'd call there or any of the handicap vehicle conversion outfits that work on vehicles for guys like me.