Re: Driving with neck and back fusions

[Guest guest]

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Hope all have a healthy, happy, adventurous 2006.

Once again searching for information, experiences, etc. for a close friend

(not a member of the list) who has had multiple neck and back surgeries. As a

result, she has had fusions in her neck and low back and her mobility has become

somewhat limited.

Although still in a wheelchair, she is determined to drive (with an accessible

van/hand controls). Her rehab specialist feels it may not be possible due to

the fusions limiting some of her ability to turn her head and thorax. She is

asking that if anyone on the list or if you know anyone who has had neck and

back fusions and is driving to contact her through a personal email to me. Then

I will either pass either your number to her or her number to you. She feels

that if others with the same situation are driving and what they had to do to

accomplish this goal, then her rehab specialist will more likely understand and

approve driving for her.

On behalf of Tammy, thank you.

Bev....

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[Guest guest]

Hi Bev,

> Although still in a wheelchair, she is determined

> to drive (with an accessible van/hand controls).

> Her rehab specialist feels it may not be possible

> due to the fusions limiting some of her ability to

> turn her head and thorax. She is asking that if

> anyone on the list or if you know anyone who has had

> neck and back fusions and is driving to contact her

> through a personal email to me.

Your friend Tammy needs to have a Driver Evaluation.

They are usually done at rehab hospitals by OTs and

PTs who are also Certified Driver Rehabilitation

Training Specialists. These evaluations, while

expensive are usually very comprehensive. Most LPs

that needed more equipment than just extenders have

probably gone through one. I used to work in a rehab

hospital with an OT and together we would do the

evals. There is a possibility that she will be able

to drive, if the eval recommends it. Equipment that

would definatly be part of their recommendation would

be a full view convex mirror (one that goes across the

entire top), hand controls, and probably a van with a

lift.... at least these things if not more. It can

get pretty expensive. If you are connected with

vocational rehab services in your state, they will

sometimes pay for some of the equipment so as long as

you are working. Definatly worth checking in to, and

definatly worth at least getting a driving evaluation

completed.

-Casey

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