OT -- Steering aids for driving.

[Guest guest]

I thought I would check here for experiences with having a car fitted

with steering aids for the car, or handles, etc. to make it easier for

driving with RA mostly (bad fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders -- the

usual). Trying to be a little more independent while still battling

the RA, instead of waiting for the RA to get better.

What were your experiences? I have been calling around and found one

place, however it is not open weekends and only a few days through the

week, so we are trying to coordinate a time. In the meantime, I

thought I would ask around for others' experiences with this sort of

thing, did it work for you?

Thanks.

peace,

Ebony

[Guest guest]

Ebony,

I haven't done anything major, but I did purchase a particular

steering wheel cover that helps me keep my grip on the wheel

better. I think I've found a photo of it

here: http://www.custom-accessories.com/grip.htm. Mine looks like

their #38011 (third from left on top row). I think I got it at

Target. It has these ridges and your fingers fit into the valleys,

and sometimes my thumbs can do it better than my fingers, but it

really helps keep it from slipping out from my grip. Contrast that

with my husband's car, which has no steering wheel cover at all, and

I feel like I have to squeeze it so hard that my hands end up hurting

in short time.

One of these days I should post photos of the " gadgets " that help so much.

:-) Deena247

RA dx'd 1998

At 09:46 AM 4/18/2006, you wrote:

>I thought I would check here for experiences with having a car fitted

>with steering aids for the car, or handles, etc. to make it easier for

>driving with RA mostly (bad fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders -- the

>usual). Trying to be a little more independent while still battling

>the RA, instead of waiting for the RA to get better.

>

>What were your experiences? I have been calling around and found one

>place, however it is not open weekends and only a few days through the

>week, so we are trying to coordinate a time. In the meantime, I

>thought I would ask around for others' experiences with this sort of

>thing, did it work for you?

>

>Thanks.

>

>peace,

>Ebony

[Guest guest]

I ran into the same kind of problem when the RA started affecting my legs. I

was on the highway one morning with the cruise control on 60 mph, coming to

a stop sign on a major highway. I tried to lift a leg to the brake pedal and

couldn't do it. My other leg wouldn't cooperate on the clutch pedal either.

I did finally get he truck stopped, but not without a great lesson learned.

I went out and bought a motorcycle, one with cruise control, reverse, and

all the other goodies. With it, my legs were free and I could move about

easily. Anyhow, that was my first fix, and it's worked well since 1990.

I checked into handicap mods for cars and the only fix seems to be hand

controls and a wheelchair lift. The rest of us have to come up with our own

answers. The second thing I learned was that these mods are EXPENSIVE! The

first thing you need, Ebony, is a steering wheel cover. You can find them

padded, giving you easier gripping and more control. Of course, your

car/truck needs to be an automatic and power steering, along with cruise

control if your legs are affected. Heat/air controls and wipers, etc, are

different for every car, so you have to look at the ones you can use. What

specific controls do you need help with? I'm sure I can come up with a

suggestion that might work.

Dennis

[ ] OT -- Steering aids for driving.

>I thought I would check here for experiences with having a car fitted

> with steering aids for the car, or handles, etc. to make it easier for

> driving with RA mostly (bad fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders -- the

> usual). Trying to be a little more independent while still battling

> the RA, instead of waiting for the RA to get better.

>

> What were your experiences? I have been calling around and found one

> place, however it is not open weekends and only a few days through the

> week, so we are trying to coordinate a time. In the meantime, I

> thought I would ask around for others' experiences with this sort of

> thing, did it work for you?

>

> Thanks.

>

> peace,

> Ebony

[Guest guest]

Deena -

You mentioned that you might post photos of your helpful gadgets. I,

for one, would be tremendously grateful for that. I'm always on the

lookout for helpful tools to make life with RA easier.

Prakasha

On Apr 18, 2006, at 1:29 PM, Deena247 wrote:

> Ebony,

>

> I haven't done anything major, but I did purchase a particular

> steering wheel cover that helps me keep my grip on the wheel

> better.  I think I've found a photo of it

> here:  http://www.custom-accessories.com/grip.htm.  Mine looks like

> their #38011 (third from left on top row).  I think I got it at

> Target.  It has these ridges and your fingers fit into the valleys,

> and sometimes my thumbs can do it better than my fingers, but it

> really helps keep it from slipping out from my grip.  Contrast that

> with my husband's car, which has no steering wheel cover at all, and

> I feel like I have to squeeze it so hard that my hands end up hurting

> in short time.

>

> One of these days I should post photos of the " gadgets " that help so

> much.

>

> :-) Deena247

> RA dx'd 1998

>

>

>

> At 09:46 AM 4/18/2006, you wrote:

> >I thought I would check here for experiences with having a car fitted

> >with steering aids for the car, or handles, etc. to make it easier

> for

> >driving with RA mostly (bad fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders -- the

> >usual).  Trying to be a little more independent while still battling

> >the RA, instead of waiting for the RA to get better.

> >

> >What were your experiences?  I have been calling around and found one

> >place, however it is not open weekends and only a few days through

> the

> >week, so we are trying to coordinate a time.  In the meantime, I

> >thought I would ask around for others' experiences with this sort of

> >thing, did it work for you?

> >

> >Thanks.

> >

> >peace,

> >Ebony

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Deena247,

I was dxd in 1996 but had symptoms in 1995, so we have had it about the

same time.

I did try the covers from a store called Pep Boys. Target is nearby so

I will have a look at theirs to see if it works better for gripping.

The hands barely make a fist so turns are crazy, and would feel more

secure with a steering aid like a handle or something.

Thanks for the web site link.

take care,

Ebony

[Guest guest]

It seems to me that there could be a page on 'our' site for these " Driving

Aids " . I can see great potential if we can get a collection of existing or

new technology.What do y'all think?

Dennis

Re: [ ] OT -- Steering aids for driving.

> Ebony,

>

> I haven't done anything major, but I did purchase a particular

> steering wheel cover that helps me keep my grip on the wheel

> better. I think I've found a photo of it

> here: http://www.custom-accessories.com/grip.htm. Mine looks like

> their #38011 (third from left on top row). I think I got it at

> Target. It has these ridges and your fingers fit into the valleys,

> and sometimes my thumbs can do it better than my fingers, but it

> really helps keep it from slipping out from my grip. Contrast that

> with my husband's car, which has no steering wheel cover at all, and

> I feel like I have to squeeze it so hard that my hands end up hurting

> in short time.

>

> One of these days I should post photos of the " gadgets " that help so much.

>

> :-) Deena247

> RA dx'd 1998

>

>

>

> At 09:46 AM 4/18/2006, you wrote:

>>I thought I would check here for experiences with having a car fitted

>>with steering aids for the car, or handles, etc. to make it easier for

>>driving with RA mostly (bad fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders -- the

>>usual). Trying to be a little more independent while still battling

>>the RA, instead of waiting for the RA to get better.

>>

>>What were your experiences? I have been calling around and found one

>>place, however it is not open weekends and only a few days through the

>>week, so we are trying to coordinate a time. In the meantime, I

>>thought I would ask around for others' experiences with this sort of

>>thing, did it work for you?

>>

>>Thanks.

>>

>>peace,

>>Ebony

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/20/2006 8:00:52 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

krandall@... writes:

http://www.custom-accessories.com/grip.htm.

thanks for the info!!! i just bought a car yesterday. i've had my last one

for 8 years.

i never gave it a thought that no power steering. oh boy!! my index finger

is swollen and very sore. i hope i can get used to it

Kathy in IL

[Guest guest]

My OT also suggested having a steering knob installed in my car for

the same reason. I'll be interested in the responses you get.

--- In , " Ebony " <stillbreathing29@...>

wrote:

>

> I thought I would check here for experiences with having a car

fitted

> with steering aids for the car, or handles, etc. to make it easier

for

> driving with RA mostly (bad fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders --

the

> usual). Trying to be a little more independent while still

battling

> the RA, instead of waiting for the RA to get better.

>

> What were your experiences? I have been calling around and found

one

> place, however it is not open weekends and only a few days through

the

> week, so we are trying to coordinate a time. In the meantime, I

> thought I would ask around for others' experiences with this sort

of

> thing, did it work for you?

>

> Thanks.

>

> peace,

> Ebony

>

[Guest guest]

I've found all sorts of " hand friendly " kitchen tools (including a

dynamite jar opener that even works on water bottles!!!) at

Linens'n'Things and Bed Bath and Beyond.

> > >I thought I would check here for experiences with having a car

fitted

> > >with steering aids for the car, or handles, etc. to make it

easier

> > for

> > >driving with RA mostly (bad fingers, wrists, elbows,

shoulders -- the

> > >usual).  Trying to be a little more independent while still

battling

> > >the RA, instead of waiting for the RA to get better.

> > >

> > >What were your experiences?  I have been calling around and

found one

> > >place, however it is not open weekends and only a few days

through

> > the

> > >week, so we are trying to coordinate a time.  In the

meantime, I

> > >thought I would ask around for others' experiences with this

sort of

> > >thing, did it work for you?

> > >

> > >Thanks.

> > >

> > >peace,

> > >Ebony

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Dennis,

In the next few weeks I'll work on the website and add the page of

assistance devices.

I totally redesigned the website and added many more pages, including

one with assistance devices, but had a publishing problem. I'm

currently taking a class to learn the program better and when I'm

done it, I can HOPEFULLY

publish the new website, which will have a LOT of new information.

a

On Apr 18, 2006, at 9:52 PM, betnden@... wrote:

> seems to me that there could be a page on 'our' site for these

> " Driving

> Aids " . I can see great potential if we can get a collection of

> existing or

> new technology.What do y'all think?

>

> Dennis

[Guest guest]

I have seen the different options online but can't seem to get in to

have it done and he needs to see the car before quoting an estimate.

I am also looking into finding some OT. They may have more

information on where to get the arthritis aids. I would love water

therapy. Does your OT provide water therapy. We live in the boonies

and it has been really hard finding somewhere for OT, Dental, family

practice where I feel comfortable or even consider reputable places

to go. In the meantime, I have been going without therapy and that

has to change.

Thanks for the information. Take care.

Ebony

--- In , " Randall " <krandall@...>

wrote:

>

> My OT also suggested having a steering knob installed in my car for

> the same reason. I'll be interested in the responses you get.

>

>

>

> --- In , " Ebony " <stillbreathing29@>

>

[Guest guest]

I had been trying to find a water aerobics class that's reasonably close to

me, but there aren't any. I live in the boonies, too, so Betty and I talked

about getting our own swimming pool. She needs that exercise, too. Last year

was a real struggle for us with the drought, extreme heat, more expensive

chemicals and electricity, so we shut it down and didn't try to use it. I

hope we can get it under control because to drive to town will take about 2

gallons of gas, that will be more than $10 just for gas round trip. I can't

do that, so maybe we can swim in the dog's bowl or something...

Dennis

[ ] Re: OT -- Steering aids for driving.

>I have seen the different options online but can't seem to get in to

> have it done and he needs to see the car before quoting an estimate.

>

> I am also looking into finding some OT. They may have more

> information on where to get the arthritis aids. I would love water

> therapy. Does your OT provide water therapy. We live in the boonies

> and it has been really hard finding somewhere for OT, Dental, family

> practice where I feel comfortable or even consider reputable places

> to go. In the meantime, I have been going without therapy and that

> has to change.

>

> Thanks for the information. Take care.

>

> Ebony

>

>

>

>>

>> My OT also suggested having a steering knob installed in my car for

>> the same reason. I'll be interested in the responses you get.

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

That sounds good, a. I'll have to go to the site sometime and see what's

there. I'm embarassed to admit I haven't been there at all.

Dennis

Re: [ ] OT -- Steering aids for driving.

> Dennis,

> In the next few weeks I'll work on the website and add the page of

> assistance devices.

> I totally redesigned the website and added many more pages, including

> one with assistance devices, but had a publishing problem. I'm

> currently taking a class to learn the program better and when I'm

> done it, I can HOPEFULLY

> publish the new website, which will have a LOT of new information.

>

> a

>

>

>

> On Apr 18, 2006, at 9:52 PM, betnden@... wrote:

>

>> seems to me that there could be a page on 'our' site for these

>> " Driving

>> Aids " . I can see great potential if we can get a collection of

>> existing or

>> new technology.What do y'all think?

>>

>> Dennis

[Guest guest]

We are about 30 miles west of Boston, and Spaulding Rehab Hospital

has sattelite branches in several suburban locations. I use them

for OT and PT. They do have a location with pool therapy, but it's

almost an hour from where I live. (the center I go to is 1/2 hour

from home) I just can't take that much extra time out of my week at

this point. Plus, insurance only covers a fairly limited number of

visits for any particular " ailment " , and I'm not sure I'd get that

much benefit from it on a short-term basis.

> >

> > My OT also suggested having a steering knob installed in my car

for

> > the same reason. I'll be interested in the responses you get.

> >

> >

> >

> > --- In , " Ebony " <stillbreathing29@>

> >

>