<< He can transfer himself into a car, but usually it does not have enough
room to hold his wheelchair. I have been wondering where others get their Vans
with lifts and how they afford them? Any ideas? Judi >>
Hi Judi... What a predicament....I had the same problem in 1989 when I was
driving my 88 Sentra... then lost my legs... the trunk was just not big enough
to fit my wheelchair in...
A friend of mine, also paralyzed waist down, drove an older 2 door Mustang.
He would slide off the wheelchair into the drivers seat.. Lean forward, moving
the drivers seat to its closest position nearest the dash and lift his chair
behind him... I watched him do this at PT and realized that if he could do it
so could I... I did as many upper body exercises that I could do, and
purchased one of the lighter chairs... and went shopping for a two door car
that had enough room for my chair to fit behind... While shopping I tried an
extended cab, smaller pick-up... this worked exceptionally well. But finally
settled on a 90 Ford Bronco II. I slide off the chair onto the step-
board...move the drivers seat forward, (my seat is on a track and slides
really easily) and my chair fits amazingly well right behind my seat...Then I
lift myself onto the seat... and wala.. An independant woman....with big bi-
ceps...LOL!
I now have gotten my legs back, but because I have had other attacks of TM, I
refuse to get rid of this car...I never know when I will need it again....and
it fills my needs...My son who just turned 16, will also be driving soon.. he
wanted my bronco cause it was a "cool" car... I wouldn't let him have it,
because it took too long to find a car that would fit my needs...I bought him
a 66 volkswagon instead... Thank goodness he thought that was just as
"cool"...LOL!
Hope you find something that fits your needs... But if your son has strong use
of his upper body, don't eliminate the 2 door car/truck as an option.This was
a dream come true for me.