1. < Neuropathy

Anyone use a device to allow driving without foot pedals?

Posted by 7510cahill @7510cahill, Feb 7, 2020

I was wondering if anyone has experience with a device that allows you to drive without using accelerator and brake pedal. I'm okay now but can envision that my foot numbness could be a problem. Thanks

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Hank | @jesfactsmon | Sep 18, 2020
In reply to @bustrbrwn22 "@nycnycgirl what a strong person you are to be persistent in alternative ways to drive. I..." + (show)
@bustrbrwn22

@nycnycgirl what a strong person you are to be persistent in alternative ways to drive. I had to install special pedal extenders for my Subie outback stick shift cause my feet couldn’t reach the pedals comfortably. This was just before I was blessed with sciatica and now it hurts like hell to shift. I learned to drive using manual transmission and I like it especially for those Wisconsin winters. If I’d have known I’d end up with this pain I would have bought my first automatic but we’re talking 10 years ago now. I still beat myself up about it every time I drive which is infrequently because of the agoraphobia. Sorry to somehow turn this into the “all about me show”. My girlfriend’s husband (who just passed away suddenly at 50) used to sing her a song “ me me me, me me me me me). I think it’s the melody of one of the old detective shows that also says “just the facts, ma’am”. Thanks all for listening. @jesfactsmon

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@bustrbrwn22
Don't get down on yourself, that's a great point you made. Stick shifts are probably not for most PN sufferers (or sciatica). Timing is everything, like you getting that manual right before the sciatica hit. Is it not uncanny how many times that happens in life? Ol' Murphy, always on the job! 😳 Hank

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nycgirl | @nycgirl | Oct 1, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @nycgirl, You will notice that we merged your post with an existing discussion on using..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @nycgirl, You will notice that we merged your post with an existing discussion on using hand controls for driving. If you click the VIEW & REPLY button at the bottom of the email notification, it will take you to the discussion where you can meet @7510cahill and @steeldove who I believe can share their experience with you on using hand controls for driving.

I believe @steeldove uses the Kempf digital hand controls - https://www.kempf-usa.com/. You may also find the following patient story on the Foundation of Peripheral Neuropathy website helpful - A patient shares his experience with hand controlled driving: https://www.foundationforpn.org/2018/09/17/hand-controlled-driving/

Do you have someone that can take you to a place where you can practice driving with the hand controls like an empty parking lot?

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Thank you!

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nycgirl | @nycgirl | Oct 1, 2020
In reply to @jesfactsmon "@nycgirl Hi, I remember your name from when you posted before, back in July it looks..." + (show)
@jesfactsmon

@nycgirl Hi, I remember your name from when you posted before, back in July it looks like. I remember it because it made me think of my sister who lives in Manhattan.

I agree with Rachel, you just gotta get out there and DO IT. Is it possible for someone (your brother?) to take you out to a fairly deserted area or big empty parking lot somewhere so you can just drive around for a while until you get used to the new controls? Just go and keep going until you feel more comfortable using them. I feel so much admiration and respect for you for doing this because you need to for you family. I'm so sorry this covid nonsense has disrupted your life so much. Please take my very best wishes along on this new driving journey (and work journey) you are embarking on. Best, Hank

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Hi thank you. I hope your sister is doing well. NYC has an uphill battle. I hope I am still around when it rises again.

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1 reply
Hank | @jesfactsmon | Oct 2, 2020
In reply to @nycgirl "Hi thank you. I hope your sister is doing well. NYC has an uphill battle. I..." + (show)
@nycgirl

Hi thank you. I hope your sister is doing well. NYC has an uphill battle. I hope I am still around when it rises again.

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@nycgirl
Thanks. My sister and I have not spoken in a while but I think she is doing OK. I agree, NY is a mess. I am glad to be in Tennessee where things are open again and people are starting to discard the masks. Hallelujah!

So, what's up with you? Are you driving now and using the hand controls OK? Are you driving the 30 minutes 3 days a week now? Would love an update.

You are an inspiration. Best, Hank

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davidpn | @davidpn | Jul 26, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @nycgirl, You will notice that we merged your post with an existing discussion on using..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @nycgirl, You will notice that we merged your post with an existing discussion on using hand controls for driving. If you click the VIEW & REPLY button at the bottom of the email notification, it will take you to the discussion where you can meet @7510cahill and @steeldove who I believe can share their experience with you on using hand controls for driving.

I believe @steeldove uses the Kempf digital hand controls - https://www.kempf-usa.com/. You may also find the following patient story on the Foundation of Peripheral Neuropathy website helpful - A patient shares his experience with hand controlled driving: https://www.foundationforpn.org/2018/09/17/hand-controlled-driving/

Do you have someone that can take you to a place where you can practice driving with the hand controls like an empty parking lot?

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I looked up Kempf and it looks like a good product.

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1 reply
hossie | @hossie | Jul 27, 2023

I had controls, put into my car about four years ago. When I first contacted the business owner that specializes in providing supports for different kinds of handicaps in cars and vehicles, they referred me to someone who could give me some drivers training lessons. When I contacted that person, he told me, I should call the department of vocational, rehabilitation, because I was still working voc rehab with pay for the drivers training. It definitely helped my feet. However, going this way has some downsides. Why do you have to get a drivers license? That makes note of this disability. Once you do that, if you need to rent a car, you can only rent cars with hand controls, car rental companies will put hand controls in cars at no cost, But you usually have to pay for more upscale cars. They don’t put hand controls in the cheapest tires that they rent.

I hope this is helpful, I did dictate this, so there may be some syntax and grammar errors, but I think the gist of this will be understandable.

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davidpn | @davidpn | Jul 27, 2023
In reply to @davidpn "I looked up Kempf and it looks like a good product." + (show)
@davidpn

I looked up Kempf and it looks like a good product.

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However it may look good but cost prohibitive. They’ll transport my car for free to Florida (I noticed they’re in Chicago area where I’m at but apparently work is done in Florida).

The cost is $15,000 with a discount of about $5,000 for a $10,000 bill. Does anyone know of a less costly alternative?

Thanks much.

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