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Transportation Options
When your loved one is diagnosed with a rare disease, it changes so many aspects of life. The practical things that you take for granted like transportation become new issues that you have to figure out.
My 21-year-old son who has FA uses a walker and currently still drives. When he first started driving, he drove a truck. As he progressed, we let him change to driving a Jeep Patriot so he could have a safe, dry place to store his walker.
In the next year or so, we may have to consider another option as his mobility needs change.
What mode of transportation currently works best for your family?
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6 Replies
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I give your son all the credit for driving when having FA!
I was always afraid to drive, then when I was diagnosed at age 21, I really was hesitant to learn. I know hand controls would have to be a must.
Have you all looked into hand controls yet?
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Not yet!
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I had minivans until I stopped driving. I had to drive around my kids. Then we bought a 4-door I could transfer to. Now we may go back to an accessible minivan. I can no longer lift my legs enough to get in a truck or SUV. I’m short, only 5’2″. It took me 30 years to get to this point. Your son will let you know when his Jeep is too much.
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Yes, I’m sure he will! The unknown is hard but you just have to take it one step at a time.
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If anyone is looking to get a vehicle for someone in a wheelchair…..think long and hard about it…we live in our camper which requires something that can pull it.
We use a full size van with a lift. Huge downfalls of a lift vehicle…..decent used ones are hard to find and are considerably more expensive than just a plain van and either you have plenty of money for maintenance or you are or someone you know is very mechanically and electrically inclined…..preferably the one that will be driving the vehicle. We are on our second lift van and I have had to work on the lifts quite often….even while on the road…..doesn’t always break down at home and you need the ability to deal with it on the spot.
You can get trucks with lifts but they are extremely expensive….last time I looked I found a decent USED one that cost more than a NEW fully loaded corvette. If you have a truck and want a lift installed it will have to be a 4 door and only certain models and will cost about $50,000.
If you don’t need to tow anything I would suggest a mini van with a ramp.
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Thank you for sharing your experienes and helpful information!
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