Teach a Man to…Drive
The old “Teach a Man to Fish” adage is an old Chinese proverb that holds a lot of salt. I say, what if you could give a man (or woman) a ride, and get them to their errands for the day, but if you teach them how to drive, they can get ANYWHERE they need to go, and give the next person a ride, too?
There are so many products being made today to enhance the lives of individuals with physical limitations. In fact, there are some inventions that help people live the same life and have access to the same resources as their neighbor without the limitation. One of those such inventions is hand controls for automobile. The break is positioned near the steering wheel. In my mind, it is more similar to the placement on a motorcycle versus a regular car. It ables someone who has had an amputation or paralyzation in their legs to drive just like the general population. In fact, I have heard of individuals who do have full mobility, but have a condition, such as neuropathy, who use this type of device. Even though their foot might be in perfect working order, their sensations of touch and pressure may not be as predictable.
In some cases, wheelchair lift vans and even more basic modifications to a person’s existing car is closer in reach because of assistance available. According to MobilityWorks.com, there is help available:
The Bureau of Workers Compensation has a reimbursement program for vehicle adaptation when the injury occurred on the job.
Veteran’s benefits usually provide for modifications and liability insurance provides for adaptations needed after an accident.
Medicare and Medicaid may provide assistance in situations involving children and other unique circumstances.
Some individuals qualify for assistance from the vocational rehabilitation program in their state of residence.
I never knew that such help was available. You think more people in need of this would take advantage of it. There could be individuals who do not qualify.
I personally know what it is like to not be able to not be able to go anywhere without someone accompanying you. It happened to me for five years and I am still trying to get on track. Though it is nice to have companionship, it is such freedom to point a car in the direction you feel like, or to go somewhere and not have someone knowing all of your business. Buying birthday presents or planning other surprises are just not possible either. There are people who don’t constant assistance and could potentially be driving, as I was.
That would be a great fundraiser/service project for your group, wouldn’t it? You can identify someone in your community who is independent, but is missing that link to greater job opportunities is a car or retrofitting their car. They could take jobs where the reliability of driving themselves gets them a promotion, or gives them the experience of being able to chaperone a field trip for their children. Not to mention, its a great boost to the self esteem which trickles down into so many other areas, like health.
What blew me away is that Mobilityworks.com is not just a website, but they actually have full service dealers that provide sales and service. You can walk in, or call, and find out how much a particular lift van or hand break costs, and therefore find out what funds you would need to raise to help someone in need in your neighborhood get one. More of a “car buying experience” rather than walking into a place that makes you think you are at a medical supply warehouse is a much more exciting experience for sure. There is rental service available for the shorter term. That would be a great idea if you had a relative staying with you for a few weeks that required one. It sure would make it easy for the entire family to go everywhere together.
There is a MobilityWorks that is in the same metro area I live in, and is in fact fairly close. Because I am a curious person, I may someday see if I could go and take a look around. If I do, I surely will report back to you with my thoughts.
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