Motoring with Multiple Sclerosis
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Moto ring with multiple sclerosis 2016 Motoring with multiple s c lerosis ricability R Choosing a car Choosing a car Contents Details of features that Driving with MS 3 may help you and ways of Choosing a car 4 adapting a car Plan of action 5 Products and techniques 6 A guide for older and disabled people 2011 Finance 9 Car controls Further information 10 Information on adapted controls for driving, the This Rica booklet outlines some of the different types and key things to think about when choosing how to get them or adapting a vehicle for someone who has multiple sclerosis (MS) . Getting a Getting awheelchair into acar This information comes from wheelchair into a car consultation with people with multiple Information on equipment sclerosis and other experts. Product and to help you stow or carry a price information comes from Rica’s wheelchair market research – use it as a guide only A guide for older and disabled people 2013 and shop around for the best price. Getting in More detailed guidance on choosing and out of a car and using a car can be found in the Rica Techniques that may help guides shown here. Call us to request and details of equipment free copies or read them on our website: that is available 020 7427 2460 ricability www.rica.org.uk Wheelchair Wheelchair accessible vehicles Car sear c h The website also has the accessible vehicles page that lets you search for cars by t h eir Information on converted I measurements and will help you find a vehicles to carry you in car to suit you. your wheelchair A guide for older and disabled people 2011 Mobility address list Family cars Addresses of all adaptation Issues affecting families of suppliers and car converters disabled children and in the UK and details of the information about cars and services they offer Mobility standard and specialist address list 2013 equipment 2 MOTORING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Driving with MS A small loss of muscle control will not necessarily affect your ability to drive a Multiple sclerosis is unpredictable and car but people are required to show can affect people in many ways. Some sufficient dexterity to operate the car symptoms are common but people will controls safely. See page 6 for the wide experience different symptoms. In range of adaptations available that can addition, MS symptoms themselves can help with some of these. If you need vary from being mild to severe, and they adaptations to drive, then these will be may be temporary or permanent. specified on your licence. You are not Some common MS symptoms that allowed to drive a car without them. may affect driving include the following: Memory and concentration, spatial l sensory (touch) problems such as awareness of the position of things and numbness or tingling hands and feet clear mental processing of information l visual problems such as blurred or are also important to drivers. An double vision, or a temporary loss of assessment at a Mobility Centre (see sight caused by optic neuritis Forum of Mobility Centres page 11) can (inflammation of the optic nerve) help identify and address any problems. l fatigue – an overwhelming sense of You also need to tell your insurance tiredness making physical or mental company about your condition and activity difficult about any adaptations you have. l loss of muscle strength and dexterity For further information, go to l problems with walking, balance and www.gov.uk/dvla or get the leaflet What co-ordination you need to know about driving licences l muscle stiffness and spasms – (D100) from a post office. For more tightening or rigidity in particular information on MS, contact the MS muscle groups (known as spasticity) Society (see page 11). l difficulty with memory and thinking. Remember that many people with MS carry on driving confidently and safely You have to tell the Driver and Vehicle for many years. Licensing Agency (DVLA) that you have been diagnosed with MS. They will assess your fitness to drive using the Advice from drivers with MS information you provide and may ask you to have a medical examination or a n Try out a car and any driving assessment. adaptations on one of your You may be: worst days, not when you’re l given a full licence feeling well. l given a medical review licence, valid n Be prepared to compromise for one, two or three years but don’t omit your ‘must l given a licence that specifies which have’ features. adaptations you need to use n Get advice from an l in extreme cases, told to stop driving. independent Mobility Centre. 3 Choosing a car PRIMARY CONTROLS For steering, braking and accelerating. You may well be able to continue driving Look for: an unadapted car for some time, l automatic transmission – this can particularly if it has automatic make driving less stressful and make transmission and power steering. If your the controls easier to adapt condition is progressive, think ahead to l power assisted steering – on some what you may need in the future. cars the effort needed can be Other helpful features such as height- lightened by the dealership or by adjustable seats and steering are found on specialist converters a wide range of cars too. The less a car l cruise control to maintain a has to be modified, the higher its constant speed resale value. l handbrakes can be stiff if you have a If you are going to get a standard car, weak hand and wrist – check that use the list below to tick the features you you can put it on and off might find useful. l some cars have electronic, push button handbrakes and you can GETTING IN AND OUT have one fitted to many others. If your legs are weak or painful, you may need a large door opening so you can get SECONDARY CONTROLS in and out without having to bend them For things like the horn, lights and too much. indicators. Try to find a model where If you have weakness in your arms and these are in the best position for you. find reaching difficult, smaller doors are Also look for: easier. Two and three door cars generally l electric windows have wider doorways than four and five l electric and heated door mirrors door ones. l heated windscreen Also look for: l automatic wipers and lights l no sills or low, narrow sills l easy controls for audio equipment, l conveniently placed handholds air conditioning etc – some cars l seat height that best suits you have voice activated controls l seats which go up and down, l parking sensor – sounds if you are forwards and back – useful if you near an obstacle need space to get your legs in but l reversing camera. sit closer to the wheel for driving. BOOT LOCKING AND IGNITION Look for: l remote and central locking l no sill or low sill l keyless entry system l powered boot opening/closing l push button start l internal boot release l windows that close automatically l space for your wheelchair if you when the car is locked. have one. 4 MOTORING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Plan of action including benefits and motoring. 1 Ask some basic questions 3 Try out before buying Think about what you may need in the Try any car you are considering. Try future as well as about what suits you getting in and out several times. If you now. Prepare to compromise as you may already use any adaptations, ask if you not find everything in one car. can try the car with them fitted. How will you get in and out? Do you need wide or high doors, or specialist Tip equipment to help? See Products and techniques (page 6). n To try out a range of different Will you be comfortable in the seat? cars all in the same place, visit And will you be able to reach the a secondhand car supermarket. controls? Will you need specialist controls? There If you need more specialist help, you is a big range – from simple gadgets to can try out adapted cars at adaptation more complex controls (see pages 6-8). companies. They will also tell you if the What equipment will you carry? Think adaptations can be fitted to your chosen about everyday and occasional use. car. You could also visit one of these: Do you use a wheelchair? Will you load it into the boot or travel sitting in it? Mobility Centres (see page 11) for a Will you need extra space for driving assessment and to find out what specialist equipment? equipment may suit you. Find a car Mobility Roadshow and Motability One Big Day (see page 11) to see and try n use Rica’s online search tool out vehicles and adaptations. of car measurements at www.rica.org.uk/car-search 4 Get plenty of practice n search for cars with eg wide If you are getting adapted driving doors, low sills or lots of controls, it is advisable to have lessons headroom or look for a boot with a specialist instructor. This is to fit your wheelchair essential if you are getting a left foot accelerator (see page 7). Mobility Centres (see page 11) can 2 Collect information help you find an instructor locally. They Start with motoring magazines, the will give you lessons in their own internet and manufacturers’ brochures adapted car, or in some cases in your as well as the monthly magazine own car.