Hi, Mike,

I got my license when I was 21 - took my driving lessons whilst at  
university as the driving teacher at my high school refused to teach  
me.  I took a course one term that was 25 miles away from campus and  
so needed the family car that term.  So I learned how to drive and  
have been driving ever since.

I learned to drive with regular foot controls but about 15 years ago,  
my right leg started stiffening  up more and I got nervous about the  
ability not only to accelerate but also to take my foot off the pedal  
and decelerate quickly, so I started using a hand control to  
accelerate.  So now I use the hand control to accelerate and still  
brake with my left foot.  I drive a Honda Civic that has a wheelchair  
carrier on top.  As for accidents, I have not had any since 1987,  
when I was hit by a 87-year old man that cut in front of me trying to  
pull a hard right into Biscuitville.  His daughter told my mum that  
that was her father's fourth accident in a year and they were going  
to take away his license.

I was lucky in that I went to a college that had disabled students  
and so they had driving instructors who knew how to work with  
disabled driving students.  I would imagine that you would need to  
find one who could work with a disabled student - I'd call the local  
Voc Rehab office or the local center for independent living for  
referrals.  My local Voc Rehab office was instrumental in helping me  
to find a set of hand controls and they were also able to advise me  
on the wheelchair lift.

Since I have never leased a car in my life, I don't know what  
insurance requirements would be but I would definitely plan on  
budgeting for that in the plans.  I pay $1400 per year for liability  
and comprehensive on my car, and that's considered reasonable.

Kat





On 17 May 2006, at 18:08, [log in to unmask] wrote:

I'm looking for input from others if they drive their own cars, any   
problems
or hassles they went through.  Also I'm looking for any   
suggestions.  I'm
going to work on getting a driver's license so when I go  on trips I  
can get a
rental car.

Walk away  before I finish what you started. Face to face I will put  
you in
your place. End  this game before I finish what you started. Face to  
face
everything will  change.

"Stand Up" by Trapt

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