TRANSPORT- CARS

Whatever type of MND you are diagnosed with you will probably still need some form of car (whether the driver or are driven) to get you around. When you are no longer able to drive a 'normal' car take your time with deciding what route to go down.  I have made two massive mistakes, not necessarily with the type of car but the companies I chose to provide the cars; the latest of which has gone into administration leaving many customers in the lurch and with many legal issues. (bút more of  that later).

Some people may feel it necessary to go and buy a sports car for one final fling whilst they can still drive. Remember though, when you buy and sell cars there is a great deal of money which goes to the dealer. Can you afford it? Is it really worth the expense for a few months? If the answer is, 'Yes', then, enjoy.

You have to inform the DVLA of your condition. They may contact you doctor to check your capability to drive.

If you think that you can make use of an automatic car for a while then, it is a good idea to purchase one, particularly if your weakness is manifesting itself more in the legs than arms; you can then have, fitted, a hand control enabling you to drive for longer. There are various makes available and they all vary in price. Ensure that you try them out before buying - perhaps go to a 'Road Show' or 'Naidex'to ensure that you will be able to get on with it and that type of hand control is suitable for you. When you get it fitted ensure that the fitter gives you a lesson, however short, as I was just sent on my way and it is SCARY!

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Yourvehicleandlicence/DG_10028001


http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&p=hand+controls

If you are in a wheelchair and still want to drive there are various options available; you can get a car whereby you can transfer from your wheelchair to drive or you can drive in your wheelchair. There are numerous adaptations which can be added to the car to help you to drive. Again, make sure that you test drive any adaptations which you are considering to ensure that you can get on with them. There are power assisted steering wheels as well as the hand controls and push button drive and hand break. However, the downside of all these adaptations is that, even with an auxiliary battery, you will need to drive the car at least every couple of days for a fair distance or be willing to manually charge the battery. I found this out to my cost. Dealers will not tell you this. Again, go to a mobility show to check out all options.

There is an option of driving the car from the driver's seat and having a hoist to get your wheelchair into the car but this is really only suitable to those who can still walk a little with sticks. Or, you can have a car whereby you drive in in your wheelchair and transfer to a seat within the car; you can get rotating, sliding seats but they add about £2,500 to the cost.

If you have to be driven around by a carer and you are happy to travel in the back of the car there are many inexpensive options available. However, there are also adaptations whereby you can travel in the passenger side of the car upfront. Unfortunately, a very innovative company which adapted the Kia Sedona and was about to do the same in a cheaper version in a Fiat has gone into administration but there may be others in the pipeline, hopefully.

If you live in or near London there is a foundation which can advise and assess you re mobility, both for wheelchairs and cars.

http://www.qef.org.uk/our-services/mobility-services/

REMEMBER, ALWAYS CHECK EVERYTHING OUT, ASK FELLOW SUFFERERS, CONTACT THE MNDA, DON'T RELY ON THE COMPANY TO ADVISE YOU  AS THEY MAY NOT ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART.

Whatever you do, remember that you can purchase a car through the government 'MOTABILITY' scheme if you do not have the funds to buy a car. This scheme requires a deposit for some cars depending on cost and will then take a proportion of the mobility component of your DLA. Make sure that you read all the smallprint to ensure that this is really what you want to do.

You are exempt from paying Road Fund Tax if you are disabled and from the Congestion Charge. If you cross the Dartford Crossing or tunnel then you can claim exemption but must complete a form for all of these.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Bluebadgescheme/DG_4001061

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Yourvehicleandlicence/DG_10028003

http://www.dart-tag.co.uk/nossl/index.php?page=exemptscheme


If you have an adapted car normal insuranance companies prefer not to insure you. There are insurance companies which specialise in insurance for the disabled. These will often give you a much better deal especially if the car is adapted. Their customer service is good too.
I used the one below:-

http://www.fishinsurance.co.uk/