How do you drive?

[Joel]

I'm surprised by how many numb-footed drivers there are here! Like me, I'm sure the reason is that we cannot stand to lose that freedom of movement. It would make life so very difficult, er, more difficult than it already is. Chris, I really admire you for not driving, but I don't think I could do it unless I was forced into it. I find myself being extremely careful and defensive, just because I don't think I could always stop that fast. But for me, the alternative is unacceptable.
Joel

[qhcrazy]

I too have the numb foot sensation problem. But, I have managed to retrain myself to drive a stick shift and have done quite well. My main problem is when it's cold outside, I HAVE to keep the heater on my feet, so I can somewhat feel the pedals. My car is really small, so I don't have to worry too much about moving my feet around a lot. I practiced out behind my house in our pasture and felt that once I felt good about my braking/response time, I was good to go. I couldn't go far distances at first, but now I'm getting used to what I need to do to be comfortable and safe behind the wheel. Let us know how you come out!

[cindylee]

Count me in among the numb footed drivers. That sure took getting used to. I also get the leg spasms if I spend too much time driving. Even just doing errands on a Saturday gets my legs in an uproar. I have learned to drive with one hand on the wheel and the other rubbing the leg that is acting up at the time. I do it because I have to as I am sure almost all of us here do. Where's a chauffuer when you need one. Cindy

[rubestr3]

I am able to drive normally...but I will admit...I am quite a bit nervous knowing there are some numb footed folks out there having been rear ended myself in the past few years more than once.

Oy!

[Linda51]

Things sure have change from my days. As soon as I had my surgery in 94 my name was sent to Tallahassee,FL and I was not able to drive anymore until I took my drivers test again. Most of my deficits are on the right side so that makes driving the regular way impossible. For me personal I didn't drive again until the 15th month. I wasn't ready for it until then and I don't believe anyone should be push into driving your body will let you know when it ready at least that the way it was with me.

I went through a driving program at the rehab and the Florida Vocational Rehabilitation pay for it. It was the best medicine and the best money that was spent. I thought I was going be driving with hand controls but since my left foot had good reflex they sugested it would be best to go with a left foot gas pedal. Also since my right hand is useless I have a steering wheel knob on my steering wheel that makes my driving so much better it on the left side of the steering wheel. Before having that I was fighting the steering wheel really bad. Since I am fused from C2-T2 it makes it hard to turn my neck certain ways so you can go to Walmart and buy a longer rear view mirror under $10.00 that makes it easier to back back. Also in the beginning they made a thing made out of metal for my key so all I had to do is pull back or forward to crank up my car which was wonderful but I don't have that now.

Steering wheel knob is around $75.00. Left foot gas pedal was under $300.00. If you ever buy a new car the GM company will pay for this for you up to $1000.00 which is very helpful if you need a new vehicle.

It took some time to get use to the left foot gas pedal but it a great way to have freedom. If anyone drives my car the left foot gas pedals falls backwards and the other person can drive my car the regular way. They have different types set up for the left foot gas pedal.

Driving was the best medicine for me. I started to see a big change in my recovery when I got back to driving. I was mad at first when I had to go through the driving program but it was the best thing for me. I still have a little numbness that will get in my left foot at times and also it will get the jumpees but I feel really safe with my driving.

Before you drive again just have confidence in yourself and if you don't feel comfortable with it don't do it just wait awhile until you feel ready. You will get better at it but it has to be your timing not anyone else telling you. Not only do you have your life to worry about but everyone elses as well. Safety should come first.

~Linda

[ScrapHeap]

This is a great topic. Sorry I am late to the gig. I've been fairly preoccupied lately.

1) I admire anyone who is smart enough to not drive if they do not feel like they can do it. It takes a lot to overcome the initial shock of our new bodies and driving is something of a whole other level. That said, I would encourage those who think they can drive at least a little but have not yet attempted it to try it out under safe conditions when/where possible. You may find out that brief attempts can build confidence while relearning the skills. Short attempts could lead to longer sessions over time. Or, one might solidify their concerns that they shouldn't drive after all. I guess what I'm saying is, it is better to know than to think we know.... one way or the other.

2) I am yet another of the numb footed drivers. I am constantly uncomfortable for the first 10-15 minutes in the seat too. Like walking, I've learned to use my heels more on the pedals to drive. Like walking, I get my feedback from ankle movement and ankle pressure. If you didn't know I was a gimp you'd never tell from my driving. That is, until I get in or out of the vehicle.

I do better on stop and go trips around town. Not too bad actually. Though it is not comfortable. My leg does get weak and shaky and I sometimes have to glance down to assure proper foot placement on the pedal(s). But not very often. Long trips are a real chore. I try to avoid them, period. I can not seem to keep a steady highway speed for more than a minute or two. My leg gets the quakes as it weakens. I find myself using my right hand to push down on my right thigh to operate the gas and brake (pedal assist?). Thank goodness for cruise control. CC is my best friend on long(er) trips. I operate it (kick it in, out, up, down, cruise/coast) w/a thumb and/or one finger. I guess that qualifies as hand controls to some degree?

It's a love/hate relationship for me now. I use to love driving. I still do. But geez it can be more painful than pleasant sometimes. My motto: "Drive defensively. Buy a tank!" I drive a full size Suburban. Keep that in mind if you see me weaving and lurching down the highway.

-Mike

[shannan]

I haven't driven since my surgery...yet, but I believe I am almost ready to give it a try. I am lucky that my right foot is not completely numb; however, it is spastic causing my foot to always look like I am practicing to wear high heels. It is the spasticity that has kept me from driving as of yet, by choice. I did have to get my licence renewed and strangely although I had to check the box that asked if there was anything that may affect the safety of my driving....they renewed my licence without question. I asked my therapy partner, Jack, how safe he felt knowing that I can be on the road again, and he replied no different as there are probably a lot worse drivers out there. Jack's spinal injury was from a motorcycle accident and his right foot was affected, he actually has a prescription to drive with his left foot and opted not to get the left foot pedal. He uses the pedals provided and finds little difficulty using his left foot to operate them.

[stacy]

I have a van that has the hand controls. I took a few lessons on using them, but I am still not very good at it. I still use my feet, but the hand brake is a back up for me if I am not sure I have reached the break all the way. I have to set close to the pedals and that works for me.

Stacy

[Charity R.]

I got lucky. The tumor affected my LEFT leg. I have loss of sensation in the left leg and foot and my left toes are almost completely numb.

The toes on my right foot are tingly and have some loss of sensation and the muscles in my right leg are at about 85% but I've had no problems driving as it relates to my legs.

Its my back that acts up when I sit too long in a car.

Charity

[garyw]

Two years ago, long before my tumor was discovered, I damaged my wile's Saturn when I missed the brake pedal. I had been coping with numb feet for a long time, and had actually sold an older Saturn that had a standard transmission after finding myself occasionally hitting the brake pedal when trying to depress the clutch. When I reconstructed in my mind, that missed brake pedal incident, it was obvious that my left foot was too far to the left when I got in. When put into drive, the car leapt forward, and I slammed my right foot down next to the left one, to the left of the brake pedal.

The standard transmission Saturn was replaced by a 2005 smart fortwo (as in "for two" people). I had few problems driving that car because although it has a standard transmission, it also has an automated clutch (no clutch pedal; the computer looks after that aspect). It has what's referred to as a dead pedal to the left of the brake pedal. It's a raised, angled platform upon which to rest your left foot, not an actual pedal.

I had a driving examiner give me a rigorous check out on the smart. He found that there were no problems with me driving it. The Saturn had a large empty space to the left of the brake pedal which was the source of my problem when driving it. The solution was to build and install a dead pedal for the Saturn. I had to have the work done by a professional who specializes in modifying vehicles for people with disabilities, to make it legal. This allows me to place my left foot on the pad, and then proceed as per normal. There are no large spaces for my feet to wander into.

I prefer to drive the smart. It's much easier to enter and exit, and is fun to drive. It's also easy to catch a quick glimpse of my feet as I'm driving. Most modern cars with an airbag in the steering wheel, make it difficult to do that. I recently made some changes to make it even easier to see the pedals and footwell area. I added aftermarket anodized aluminum brake and accelerator pedal covers. Rubber dimples keep the surfaces from being slippery. The aluminum shows up much better than the black rubber covers. I also added footwell lights which operate in concert with the interior light. A console switch allows them to be manually activated, otherwise they light when a door or the hatch is opened.