Hiya guys, very many thanks to you all for taking the time to reply, I’m very grateful Hiya Big Dave, many thanks for your reply, I’ll try to answer as best I can but maybe a few words of explanation might help to explain where i’m at right now. Previously, I had no trouble with driving, arms & legs could manage what they had to do, then 3 years ago I had a fall and knee capped myself, ( right leg ) which means I’ve been hobbling about on crutches ever since. At this point, i’m not even 100% sure I can even get my leg into a drivers seat due to lack of flexibility, it took me months to figure out how to just get in a passenger seat but ever the optimist, i’ll do my best to figure out a way of getting in and out. Then, last year, as part of surgery for cancer, my lymph glands were removed from my left arm, which has left me with a permanent reduction in movement, though I still have enough movement to drive but it gets very painful. Neck and back problems since my fall mean I don’t really want to be having to turn too much when reversing/parking, hence the wish for parking pilot and or rear cameras. Anyhoo, that might give you an idea of the problems I have at the mo. So to answer your questions… I was thinking in terms of a manual, petrol car. 5 seats would do. previously had hatchbacks but appreciate some of these might be a bit short on boot space ( that’s my Bugatti Veyron out the window ) Currently on PIP. As for a hoist for the scooter, do you know, that had never even crossed my mind. I wouldn’t even know where to start if I wanted to look into getting one. Any further info you can suggest on this would be very handy. As for low/high entry/exit, I would think in the middle thereabouts. nothing too low as I might have some difficulty getting seated, however, i’m just short of 5″ so nothing too high either. Awkward, eh? I hope that helps a bit.
Hi,
In light of your difficulties and potential need for some form of aids/adaptions, it maybe worthwhile getting in touch with ‘Driving Mobility’:
https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/ (link to the left)
They took over from the old RADAR/MAVIS assessment service.
They can carry out an assessment to see what aids and adaptions you may need to drive safely. Such as lightened steering, left foot accelerator/brake or even some form of hand controls. Aslo which types of vehicles you maybe able to access/egress easily.
They can also advise whether your residual disability needs reporting to the DVLA Medical Branch etc.
They are the specialists in this field and to be honest, it maybe more worthwhile going down this sort of route, knowing that the aids will suit you and help you drive safely. Rather than ‘bells and whistles’ fitted to vehicles for the mass market.
Once you know what you need disability wise, you can then go forward on the scheme, potentially using the managed adaptions programme (many aids/adaptions are free on the scheme). Grants are available from Motability on a means tested basis towards any expensive adaptions and the vehicle itself.
With your residual limitations, I don’t think it would be wise to start recommending vehicles, until you know what you may need to overcome these limitations.
Probably not what you are wanting to hear, but you must put your own and other road users safety first. You also need to make sure your vehicle is as easy to drive for yourself as possible and aids/adaptions can assist with this.
Dave