‘Look Ma, No Feet!’ A Lesson in Mechanical Hand Controls

Judy Lynn avatar

by Judy Lynn |

Share this article:

Share article via email
driving and MS

You've Got Some Nerves
When my physiatrist diagnosed my MS ā€œfoot drop,ā€ she wrote a prescription for vehicle hand controls. I was both elated and terrified. Could I drive long distances again? Arrive pain-free, able to do a short hike? Could I regain the freedom of knowing I would not have to cancel an outing because I couldnā€™t drive there?Ā  After many months of increasing limitations, I was giddy at the prospect of less pain and more freedom.Ā  BUT ā€¦ What if I couldnā€™t do it? Maybe I would never get the hang of it ā€¦ or worse, what if I got in an accident?Ā  I kept thinking about the time my grandmother hit the gas instead of the brakes and took out my uncleā€™s front porch!

_dsc1100-1I checked in with my State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) caseworker (look into yours if you havenā€™t). DVR, along with the National MS Society, covered the nearly $3,000 for the lesson, certification, and installation because I use my car for work. Ā They assessed my vehicle and my abilities and recommended ā€œmechanicalā€ hand controls. These can be turned off and on so that others can drive the car. A lever is attached by cables to the gas and brake pedals.Ā  The lever, or handle, really, goes to the right or left of the steering wheel. Usually matched toĀ a person’s non-dominant hand.Ā  To accelerate, pull down.Ā  Lightly. To stop, push it forward.Ā  A steering knob is placed on the steering wheel so that the car can be turned with just one hand. It makes for some great U-turns, but do not be tempted to go crazy with doughnuts.Ā  Steering knobs, otherwise known as Brodie knobs, or “suicide” knobs, are quite popular with teenage boys.Ā  If you have one of those (a teenage boy) make sure you remove the knob before heĀ borrows the car.

The instructor brought his van, equipped with hand controls, to meet me at my office. We hit the streets in lunchtime traffic and he drove first to demonstrate. I remember noticing how casual and comfortable he was. I thought he must be some sort of hand control savant, because to me it looked like Iā€™d be doing some difficult dual-tasking with my hands. Iā€™ve never been able to do that ā€˜pat your head and rub your bellyā€™ thing!

Soon it was my turn to drive.Ā  We started slow, just coasting to make sure I could use the hand brake. I frequently used my foot on the brake, out of habit.Ā  I believe ā€œNo foot!ā€ was the most repeated statement that day.

Lessons from my lesson

  • The ability to stop quickly is the first thing to learn. Practice coasting and stopping until you are no longer giving the instructor whiplash.
  • For safety reasons, both the hand and foot brake work at all times. You stop a little more abruptly if you use both, which you are not supposed to do.
  • This is a time for your very best driving ā€” lots of space between cars and no speeding.
  • Learn how to use those side mirrors. If you look over your shoulder while you are backing up, your hand may inadvertently press down too hard on the gas. It could happen.
  • If you are chatty, tone it down a bit for the lesson. Pretend that you are a teenager learning to drive again and your ability to get to the movies on Friday depends on your mastering this skill.
  • Believe the instructor when he says, ā€œYou are doing great! You are probably in the top 1% of all the students I have ever instructed.ā€Ā  It doesnā€™t matter ifĀ itā€™s true, just believe it!

My instructor and I parted ways after an hour or two, with an admonition to force myself to use the hand controls. “You will be tempted to keep using the foot pedals because you are able to, but if you use only the hand controls it will take about two weeks for it to feel natural.ā€ I was skeptical, but the controls were installed the following Monday and I was ready to conquer the world.Ā  Or the vacant church parking lot.

I looked up “suicide knob” for this article. Iā€™ve wondered about the origin of this nickname, but sort of didnā€™t want to know. Opinions are mixed, but it gets back to how teenage boys drive. Wikipedia did share that in boating ā€œā€¦ the use of a suicide knob to make faster turns may cause passengers to be thrown over the gunwale during docking maneuvers.ā€Ā  Next week, Iā€™ll share how I mastered the hand controls and whether Iā€™ve lost any passengers overboard!

For a more thorough explanation of driving evaluation and the many types of modifications available, please check out this great brochureĀ from theĀ National MS Society.

Note: Multiple SclerosisĀ News TodayĀ is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.Ā The opinions expressed in this columnĀ are not those ofĀ Multiple SclerosisĀ News Today, or itsĀ parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis

 

Comments

Philip Longford avatar

Philip Longford

In the UK, Motability will modify new cars, to help with the particular disability of the individual. With PPMS, I ordered my new car, with the hand controls, and the ball on the steering wheel. Absolutely brilliant. Was surprised that the garage, when I picked the car up, declined to give me a demonstration. An insurance issue! Very simple to get used to. On the next one, I would be inclined to get an indicator switch on top of the push/pull control, as it can be tricky to indicate, if steering with one hand. It can get tiring, using the pull throttle over long distances, so, if you can, get a car with cruise control. Makes things so much easier.

Reply
Judy Lynn avatar

Judy Lynn

Hi Philip- Wow, I am impressed! I don't know if I could have done it without the demonstration and lesson. Not safely anyway! And yes to the indicator switch/turn signal. I have trouble with that one as well. I have cruise control and it's a lifesaver for those long trips. It is an arm workout at times, some people may need other types of controls. I'm curious if you have any tricks for backing up, other than using those side mirrors.

Reply
Debi avatar

Debi

Great article Judy!
Very informative, fun and inspiring!

Reply
Judy Lynn avatar

Judy Lynn

Thank you, Debi! Next week I will share some of my tips and tricks for using the hand controls. It's been nearly a year since they were installed and I've learned a lot.

Reply
Sharon avatar

Sharon

I tried to leave a comment, but it didn't show up. I would like to see your tips on driving with hand controls. I find it nerve wracking.

Reply
Sharon avatar

Sharon

I'm very interested in your tips for hand controls. I'm trying to get used to mine, but
I find it nerve wracking! I need to take a drivers test and .I'm practicing almost everyday. Hard time with people pushing me down the road.
I goggled hand controls and your site came up. I am an amputee and have numbness in my good foot.

Reply
Judy Lynn avatar

Judy Lynn

Good for you for looking online and trying to find resources and suggestions! It was daunting at first, but hang in there, you CAN do it!
Having taught my two sons to drive in the past ten years, I used a similar approach for my hand controls. The empty church and school parking lots became my best friends for a couple of weeks. Be sure and practice backing out of parking spaces, and if you can take a friend with you to set out some cones or similar items, that would help. Backing up was one of the more challenging things for me.
Once you are confident there, choose a slow road with minimal traffic. Do the same route a dozen, or two dozen times. I believe this helps your brain do the auto-pilot wiring that's useful with driving. Slow, baby steps, not progressing to busier roads until your confident with the one you're on.
Parking was funny initially- the handicap spaces are too close to the busy pedestrian areas!! For the first month or two I would park at the far side of the lots, away from cars. This may not be an option for you, so I'd suggest maybe trying to go when stores are least busy. Roll your windows down (you can hear other cars or people) and try to coast in reverse if possible.
As for the people pushing you down the road...I know it's hard, but just ignore them! That's what I would tell my poor teenagers too. I wonder if a person can buy those 'drivers education' signs for their car...lol...put a 'driver in training' sign in the back?
Let me know if there are particular pieces that are difficult for you and I can share more. Be patient with yourself and know that you CAN do it. Just takes time and repetition. Before you know it, you'll be driving and talking, sipping water, changing the radio station, and hopefully feeling pretty proud of yourself!

Reply
Eileen avatar

Eileen

I have peripheral neuropathy and don't have much feeling in my feet, especially the right one. I have not been able to drive for several months due to this, and am almost home bound. I hate to have lost my independence and would like to be able to learn to drive again with hand controls. I am 74 years old, would it be too difficult at my age?

Reply
Shaw C avatar

Shaw C

Iā€™m 76 With CMT and just had them installed. The car is new so I am trying to figure that out too. It is scary but I am practicing as I am determined to have my freedom. I found saying out loud ā€œstopā€ and ā€œgo,ā€ in the beginning, to be helpful imprinting on my brain something my foot already knows.

Reply
Penny-Marie Wright avatar

Penny-Marie Wright

In Alberta if you're seen by the police drinking water, changing the radio station or talking on your cell phone while driving you'll get a ticket. not a good thing to do if you have health problems anyway. A friend of mine suggested I should get hand controls, he just had his vehicle equipped with them. Using a school or church parking lot for practicing in is a good idea, can't use shopping mall parking lots because they're open 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 9:00 or 10:00 pm at night so full of cars.

Reply

Leave a comment

Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published.