Trisha, IMHO, Cars are NOT lethal weapons.  Kathy





-----Original Message-----
From: Trisha Cummings <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 6:42 AM
Subject: Re: Driving


>Hi Joy,
>
>        When I was looking for a vehicle that could handle Amber and her
>stroller/wheelchair - Ford and Volkswagen both offered rebates of up to
$500
>on adapting their vehicles - plus and I don't know if it true anymore -
>Plymouth Voyager could be made to kneel!! I got the Voyager , unfortunately
>when the "old" man skipped out on us - he took it - and left me with the -
>now 21 year old Cadillac then 15 years old. Amber braces and other
>paraphernalia quickly annihilated the leather seat she sat in. So when
>looking at vehicles consider the upholstery.
>
>        Get a car you can handle safely before you learn to drive - you
>don't want to hurt, maim or kill someone else - new drivers are big enough
>risk as it is. Driving is not a right - its a priviledge and
responsibility.
>Cars aren't cute toys they are lethal weapons - from 1 ton and up - human
>bodies are no match for them. Just last June my foster daughter(?) got her
>license and I tried to give her a real respect for what cars can do - when
>the driver is a novice, drunk or just plain doesn't think. I have been
>driving - almost 26 years and have never hit anything ( knock on wood).
When
>I drive the Cadillac - I remember I am piloting 4400 pounds of metal and
>that todays car are as strurdy as coke cans next to it. When I drive my new
>98 Escort - I drive remembering at my height the airbag inflating will
knock
>my head off and into the next county ( I am under the height thing - 4'10".
>
>                        Brightest Blessings
>                                Trisha
>
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>I'm getting my learner's permit soon, hopefully over this summer.  I had
>>my first lesson tonight, with me steering and my dad sitting on the
>>shift working the gas and brake, since I don't have reliable control of
>>my feet.  That's not safe, legal, or fun... so, I was wondering what
>>adaptive devices you guys use for driving.  I'd like to have a regular
>>car if possible, not a van with a lift.  I use a wheelchair, so I'm also
>>interested in ways to haul that in and out.  Thanks!
>>
>>~Joy~
>