Hand Controls

Because I have Multiple Sclerosis, I have had to change some things in my everyday activities. One of these activities is being able to continue driving a motor vehicle, although I don't drive as much as I did before the MS progressed.

In May, 2006, I had controls installed in my 1996 Ford Ranger pickup. These were required after it was determined that I was having some trouble moving my foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal. By using the hand-controls, I could continue to drive, using my hands instead of my feet. This required training by an authorized instructor, as well as passing the state required driving test each year.

The devices were manufactured by Mobility Products & Design, Winamac, Indiana, and installed by MC Mobility Systems, here in Dayton, Ohio. These controls can only be installed by an authorized dealer.

In the first 2 pictures, the devices are seen from outside the truck. In picture#2, the spinner knob on the steering wheel, and the handle with the white spot, used to control the gas and brake pedals, are seen. When looking at the floor-board on the passenger side, you can see a rope and small towel. The rope is used to stabilize my wheelchair when it is in the bed of the truck, during travel, and the towel for cleaning the chair.

In picture #3, the view shows the end of the gas/brake handle, while also showing it's location close to the turn signal control. With the handles this close, it is a simple matter to move the hand from one control to the other.

Pictures 4, 5, and 6, show the device installed under the dash. The pictures show the handle for the gas/brake control, connecting rods to the gas and brake pedals, and the mount for these. The bottom of the dash had to be dismantled and some of the existing parts discarded for installation of the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is centered below the steering column.

Using the controls involves some training as well as a lot of practice and concentration. Having access to empty parking lots helps. When using the gas/brake control, by pushing the handle straight down towards the floor, this controls the gas, and to activate the brake, push the control straight towards the dash. It is easy to activate both gas and brake at the same time. This control is activated by the left hand, while steering is controlled by the right hand.

Several nice things about these controls. The truck can be driven by a person using the gas/brake pedals, as normally would be done, and the controls can be installed in another vehicle. This would be done if I changed vehicles, and would be done by an authorized dealer.

My drivers license limits me to several restrictions. Hand-controls for gas/brake pedals, spinner knob on steering wheel, power steering, power brakes, and automatic transmission.

With the installed devices, I can still drive, although I get tired easily. More concentration and common sense prevail.

Mobility Products & Design

November 17, 2007 Having Multiple Sclerosis, the time comes to make changes, sometimes faster than we like. The time has come for me to stop driving. I have gotten to the point of being more nervous about driving a vehicle. I usually don't drive more than 5 or 6 miles at a time, and I get very nervous. So before I cause anyone to get injured, it is time to let my wife do the driving. She has been doing most of the driving lately, but we are still going to keep the truck with the hand-controls, as a spare vehicle. This was a tough decision to make, but after much thought, and talking to my wife, we both think it is time for me to stop driving. My last day to drive was November 16, 2007, and it was one of those 6 mile drives, just to get air pressure in tires equalized, and a sandwich for lunch. But with the price of gasoline, I can fix lunch at home.

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