Driving with MS: Hand Controls for Cars

[Nancy]

I got in touch with the Multiple Sclerosis Society in your area and the were Very helpful with the whole thing. The even have assistance with the cost of everything. I had to get a evaluation done to see which equipment was best suited for my car. Then had to do like a driving school,test drive  with the hand controls .The had to get to DMV for handicap plates.  If you did well with drivers ed in high school you’ll go great. Good Luck

[Cyndi B]

Thanks Nancy — I will follow up as well with the MS society.

[Debi Wilson]

Hi Cyndi B ,

I just wanted to share with you that one of our patient  columnists, Judy Lynn,  has written two columns on the subject.  “Look Ma no feet” a lesson in  mechanical hand controls.”  And  “Believe me your a natural” learning to drive with hand controls”  I hope these help !

[Cyndi B]

Excellent!  Thanks for the articles Debi.

[Nancy Bergstrom]

I have used hand controls on two cars now, since around 2006.  The set-up is a spinner ball on the steering wheel to the right side, and the gas/brake handle to the left.  I had controls added to my SUV when I first trained and licensed.  I later purchased a slighter small car – Subaru Outback and had controls installed in that car.  The biggest issue for me in purchasing a new car was ease of getting in and out with the limited mobility of my right leg.  While it was rather costly to get training – at my own cost, the new car manufacturer offered a rebate for some of the hand controls.  I have been very pleased with how well they work.

I am not currently working but have driven daily with hand controls for several years to and from work about a 20 mile daily round trip in sluggish Seattle traffic.  I have also driven longer trips and find that the controls and I work just fine.  The nice thing about hand controls is that a regular driver can still use the foot pedals.  They just need to keep their hands off of the gas/brake lever.

 

[Debi Wilson]

Welcome to the forums Nancy!

Thank-you for sharing, great advice! Debi

[Cyndi B]

Hello, this is a long overdue follow up to my initial question about conversion to hand controls on my car.  I’ll keep it simple…BEST mobility/independence decision ever made.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my hand controls.  Went with the GT2 Lever mfg by Guidosimplex.  Easy as pie to learn/adapt.  Simple to use.  On/off switch allowing quick change out of drivers.   Should have done it 2 years ago.