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Being a Licensed-Driver with SMA
I don’t many who do this, but I do know a few SMA folks who are licensed-drivers. It can be a complicated process for sure (and an expensive one), but nonetheless there are people who manage to do it.
From what I know, there are specialized vehicles in which the steering wheel is more like a joystick. Thus, they’re easier for people with SMA and other physical disabilities to operate. Also, the driver’s seat is removed so that a wheelchair-user can get to the front of the car.
It’s cool that this is an option, but I just haven’t ever looked at it seriously. In college I had a good system worked out in which I hired a couple friends to drive me around, and then I had PCAs stay overnight with me at home. I was too busy to ever give something like this any thought, and I had a good system worked out anyway.
Even today, I’m pretty content with what I have and am in the process of hiring more caregivers. I’m all for taking risks and encouraging others with SMA to stretch their limitations, but this is one area that I’ve always felt the risks are too much, at least for me. With my arm-strength being so weak, I’m not sure I’d be capable of operating even a specialized kind of steering wheel. I also have the worst sense of direction imaginable.
What about you all? Would any of you look into this? Do you know of any SMA folks who do drive? Let me know your thoughts.
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