Driving with one useful arm

Testie
Testieon Wednesday, May 5 2021
11 Comments

After 6 months and little use of left arm I have had assessment with occupational therapist who has recommended the use of wheel spinner but I fail to see how anyone using these can indicate off a roundabout when turning right. All other parts of driving seems to be ok.

it has been suggested that blinkers on the wheel spinners are the only solution. At $3000 per unit and unfortunately I have 4 cars at my disposal looks like I need to make a decision to which car I fit it to.Anyone have any thoughts! 

I have several  classic cars which will be useless to me. Driving was my life.

11 Responses

Hi there,

I have driven with one left arm for the last 18 years.  I use a spinner knob & I have a left hand stork adapter that comes across to the right side of the wheel just above the right hand stork. It is detachable, so when we have changed cars we have removed & attached to new one.  There are some specialized fitters around depending on where you live who can set it up. & its a much cheaper option than blinkers on the spinner knob.    It has worked well for me.  If you like I can take a photo to better illustrate the set up, just let me know.  

Good luck. 

Fiona

Hi Testie,

I've been driving 1 handed for 16 years with a spinner knob & a right handed indicator stalk. They are both detachable & can be put in any car. I drive a VW now & can safely reach the indicator now on the left.

Thought I'd mention.....we must drive  automatic cars with modern brakes. I'd check that your other cars match the requirements? Your Driving Instructor or OT can tell you.

Good thing you guys can still drive but looking at your condition, I agree that you really need an automatic car.

Re-Mapping the Page.

ask a friend to fit a steering ball on you steering wheel , like they use on forklifts , that should be it easier to steer and get an automatic car with power steering . As long as its only the left hand affected then you can drive a car , same as some one who has broken there arm , after all every thing else works fine . And spinners are bolt on anyway .

Hi Testie, I have been driving again after 22 months off the road. My car had to be modified as its my right side affected.

I have a spinner knob and an extension on the indicators to the left side. I also have a left foot accelerator. My licence conditions mention all of this plus have to have power steering.

I can really appreciate how frustrating not driving is, as before my stroke I drove 50-60K kms a year.

Try and stay positive, none of us asked for this we just have to learn to accept how things are which is very difficult.

Hi 

I drive with an electronic spinner that has the blinkers built into it and clips onto the steering wheel of our car.  Not sure where you are located but Problem Management Engineering in Hornsby NSW fitted my spinner - they might have some other options for you to drive multiple cars, maybe  you get in contact with them and ask?

https://www.pmeautoconversions.com.au/about ;

Thanks for all the positive comments and suggestions. Really felt down after the OT assessment. Hopefully with just a wheel spinner and blinker arm extension I will be driving again..... soon? Or I could just do what half the able body drivers do and not indicate off at roundabouts lol

Just spoke to the OT and her report will just say wheel spinner and extension a lot cheaper option for me with multiple cars. Anyone want an Austin, MG or Subaru? All manuals. 
Only joking one thing I did not lose was my warped sense of humour.

Testie col

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