The Challenge
Hayley has reduced function and strength in all four limbs as the result of Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. She is unable to stand or walk and therefore uses a power wheelchair for her general mobility. Hayley is unable to transfer herself from her wheelchair to another surface independently.
The Solutions
Hayley was awarded a grant from Motability for a drive-from-wheelchair vehicle and various adaptations as follows:-
- Increased braking pressure by modifying the brake system to make it lighter.
- Increased power-assisted steering pressure to make steering lighter.
- Fitted docking system to restrain wheelchair in driver’s position.
- Designed, manufactured and fitted knee-operated accelerator and brake system.
The knee-operated controls were a new adaptation for Elap and posed a new challenge for our engineers; the PAS and increased pressure to the braking had been done before and are relatively easy to achieve. The Docking system was specific to her wheelchair, ‘Balder’, and was fitted by their engineer.
This is Hayley’s first car and she has not passed her driving test as yet. She was amazed by the end results and felt confident that she would be abler to learn to drive using the Adaptations we had installed for her.Hayley is currently learning to drive for the first time with her modified car and enjoying the experience. She hopes to be totally independent soon!
The Pictures
