Re: [TMIC] today's feat
DEB, I DRIVE ONE LIKE YOU DO FROM MY POWER WHEELCHAIR. IT LOCKS DOWN WHEN IN PLACE AND I USE HAND CONTROLS. MINE IS A MINI-VAN WITH A LOWERED FLOOR, AUTO SLIDING DOOR AND AUTO FOLD OUT AND IN RAMP. IT IS CALLED A BRAUN ENTERVAN, AND THE PASSENGER SEAT IS SWAPABLE FOR A REGULAR [AB] TO DRIVE IT AS WELL. YOU CAN LOOK THEM UP ON THE INTERNET. ANOTHER COMPANY IS VMI THAT DOES THESE MODIFICATIONS, BUT I PREFER THE BRAUN RAMP OVER THE VMI. IF YOU ARE DRIVING ONE OF THE LARGER VANS, YOU MIGHT CONSIDER THIS TYPE AS ANOTHER OPTION. BETTER GAS MILEAGE AND IS EASIER TO DRIVE AND GET INTO PARKING GARAGES. IF YOU WANT TO BE MACHO ABOUT IT, THERE IS A THREE DOOR PICKUP THAT CAN BE MODIFIED FOR WHEELCHAIRS WITH A POWER LIFT. I SAW ONE THE OTHER DAY THAT WAS ALL JACKED UP, BIG TIRES AND ALL. THE GUY USES IT TO GET OUT ON ROUGH ROADS FOR HIS WORK AND FOR HUNTING AND FISHING. TRANSFERRING IS FOR THE BIRDS. I GOT TO WHERE I DID NOT WANT TO GO OUT MUCH UNLESS I HAD TO BECAUSE OF THE TRANSFERS = MY FIRST VAN HAD A SWIVEL THREE WAY SEAT I TRANSFERRED INTO TO DRIVE, AND BECAME A REAL PAIN IN THE A _ _ , IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. THEY DO MAKE A CAR THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT SWINGS OUT AND LOWERS FOR YOU TO GET INTO AND IT LIFTS YOU INTO THE CAR UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO DRIVE, BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE ACTUALLY WORK, ONLY SEEN PICTURES OF IT. DO SOME CHECKING BEFORE YOU DECIDE, AND REMEMBER, YOU COULD GET WORSE OR BETTER PHYSICALLY. I HAVE LEARNED TO PREPARE FOR THE WORSE AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. BEST OF LUCK. BOB SPRING, TEXAS TM CLASS OF ' 94, T-1 PARA This electronic message is confidential and is intended only for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. The information may also be legally privileged. This transmission is sent in trust, for the sole purpose of delivery to the intended recipient. If you have received this transmission in error, you are hereby notified, that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this, transmission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended, recipient, please immediately notify me by reply electronic message and delete the message from your system. IRS Circular 230 Notice: Any advice contained in this message was not written and is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties with respect to taxes that may be imposed upon the taxpayer. - Original Message - From: Deb Casey To: [EMAIL PROTECTED];tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: 10/7/2006 11:57:29 AM Subject: Re: [TMIC] today's feat Hi Ann in Ireland, and everyone else on the list. I also drive with hand controls. I have a couple of questions for you...Ann, you mentioned that you don't have any control with your feet. I don't have normal movement with my left and hardly any in my right leg. My lesions are from T8-T10. Right now I'm driving a van with a lift and a power seat that I transfer into. This was a godsend for me 2 years ago. I have recurring TM and each episode has left me with more disability, but I am getting stronger and feel like I'm ready for a regular sedan with a chairtopper. I'm getting alot of opposition from my family but I've always been independent and it drives me nuts to be driving this huge vehicle with just me.Also, do you have a powerchair? or do you have a man! ual wheelchair? If there are any other chair people who are driving I'd love to get some feedback. Right now I'm in a breezy chair and if I get a car with a chairtopper i'll have to invest in a lighter chair. Another concern is the resale of the van. adapting it was quite expensive and i was wondering if anyone has recently sold an adapted van and how you made out.I've been in the background for awhile just reading all of your mail. Your experiences and advice are invaluable. I'm always overwhelmed by how generous you all are with your experiences and knowledge.I love you all!Deb C. in MI. --- On Sun 10/01, Ann Moran [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Ann Moran [mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Cc: tmic-list@eskimo.comDate: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 19:25:47 +0100Subject: Re: [TMIC] today's feat Hi Altonhave you considered driving with hand controls.( I have no control with my feet at all.) I do that and I also drove a stick shift using hand controls, now I have advanced to an automatic, makes life a little bit easier. Plus side is that I can still be independant.regards Ann in Ireland where it is wet and windy. - Original Message - From: Alton Ryder To: TM list Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 1:48 AM Subject: Fwd: [TMIC] today's featBegin forwarded message: From: Alton Ryder [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: September 28, 2006 8:47:20 PM EDT To: Carol E [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [TMIC] today's feat I can not use my right foot for the brake I lost my kinethetic senses in the right leg. If I pick my foot up off the gas pedal, I have no idea where it will come down. After driving a stick shift since the early '50's we had to trade in our
RE: [TMIC] today's feat
I should have also added to my previous e-mail that at onset I felt an excruciating pain in my lower back which felt like someone stabbed me with a knife. Within minutes I was paralyzed from the waist down and the excruciating pain was gone. I dont know if it had gone away.or I could no longer feel it because of the paralysis. L-5 was where my lesion was. Sue -Original Message- From: Bob and Sue Mattis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 10:40 PM To: 'Alton Ryder'; 'TM list' Subject: RE: [TMIC] today's feat I agree Alton. My onset was within less than 10 minutes.and paralysis from the waist down . Seems more likely to be something quick like a stroke/infarction than something underlying like a virus, infection or autoimmune reaction. I was given the TM diagnosis though.and no one ever mentioned a stroke. Sue M -Original Message- From: Alton Ryder [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 8:52 PM To: TM list Subject: Re: [TMIC] today's feat My neuro thinks I had a spinal cord infarction(stroke) but all my symptoms sound similar to TM I believe that I, too, had an infarction within the spinal cord. The onset was twenty or thirty minutes, start to finish. That seems more consistent with an infarction, not an infection or an autoimmune reaction. I went from normality to paraplegic that suddenly. Alton
Re: [TMIC] today's feat
Hi Deb I have a lightweight manual wheelchair which I slide across my lap onto the passenger seat and then lay it down. I am curretnly going to change my car and I am hoping to get a wheelchair box, put on the top of car, which would make it easier for me. Also I'm looking into getting powered wheels to put on my chair for when I go out for long journeys/ uphills etc. These seem to be quite heavy (the powered wheels) By a power seat do you mean a swivel seat, this is what we call it hear, it swivels out side the car and you transfer onto it. Then swivel back in th car The car I have now is a bit too high up and I have a job to get onto the seat safely, so I am looking for a regular car again. I also wondered what a chair topper is ?? regards Ann - Original Message - From: Deb Casey To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 5:56 PM Subject: Re: [TMIC] today's feat Hi Ann in Ireland, and everyone else on the list. I also drive with hand controls. I have a couple of questions for you...Ann, you mentioned that you don't have any control with your feet. I don't have normal movement with my left and hardly any in my right leg. My lesions are from T8-T10. Right now I'm driving a van with a lift and a power seat that I transfer into. This was a godsend for me 2 years ago. I have recurring TM and each episode has left me with more disability, but I am getting stronger and feel like I'm ready for a regular sedan with a chairtopper. I'm getting alot of opposition from my family but I've always been independent and it drives me nuts to be driving this huge vehicle with just me.Also, do you have a powerchair? or do you have a manual wheelchair? If there are any other chair people who are driving I'd love to get some feedback. Right now I'm in a breezy chair and if I get a car with a chairtopper i'll have to invest in a lighter chair. Another concern is the resale of the van. adapting it was quite expensive and i was wondering if anyone has recently sold an adapted van and how you made out.I've been in the background for awhile just reading all of your mail. Your experiences and advice are invaluable. I'm always overwhelmed by how generous you all are with your experiences and knowledge.I love you all!Deb C. in MI. --- On Sun 10/01, Ann Moran [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Ann Moran [mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Cc: tmic-list@eskimo.comDate: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 19:25:47 +0100Subject: Re: [TMIC] today's feat Hi Altonhave you considered driving with hand controls.( I have no control with my feet at all.) I do that and I also drove a stick shift using hand controls, now I have advanced to an automatic, makes life a little bit easier. Plus side is that I can still be independant.regards Ann in Ireland where it is wet and windy. - Original Message - From: Alton Ryder To: TM list Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 1:48 AM Subject: Fwd: [TMIC] today's featBegin forwarded message: From: Alton Ryder [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: September 28, 2006 8:47:20 PM EDT To: Carol E [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [TMIC] today's feat I can not use my right foot for the brake I lost my kinethetic senses in the right leg. If I pick my foot up off the gas pedal, I have no idea where it will come down. After driving a stick shift since the early '50's we had to trade in our Subaru for the same model with a slush pot. Bummer! For the next 8 years I drove a lot - even with an AFO on the ankle - keeping my heel down and lifting my toe. Braking was with the left foot.Now I'm grounded with two blown shoulders, once again begging for rides.Alton No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com
RE: [TMIC] today's feat
Sue: that's exactly where I was affected too. L5. I tried to tell myself that it didn't come on with back pain, but then why was I twisting and trying to chang my position to something more comfortable? Yeah, there was back pain! Then burning pain in left lower leg. It went on from about 3pm to 6pm, and then sorta slacked off--I'd had a shot of Torridol and some steroids by mouth. If I had not, who knows how long it would have kept on like that? That night I found that if I didn't get up and go the the toilet--immediately, I couldn't hold it. And I couldn't walk either, so we had put me on a wheeled secretary chair so I could roll into the bathroom. By noon the next day I was numb from belly button down, and couldn't urinate at all. So I guess onset was over several hours. It took almost 3 weeks to get me walking with a walker, and 3 months to go to a quad-cane. Cora I should have also added to my previous e-mail that at onset I felt an excruciating pain in my lower back which felt like someone stabbed me with a knife. Within minutes I was paralyzed from the waist down and the excruciating pain was gone. I don't know if it had gone away..or I could no longer feel it because of the paralysis. L-5 was where my lesion was. Sue -Original Message- From: Bob and Sue Mattis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 10:40 PM To: 'Alton Ryder'; 'TM list' Subject: RE: [TMIC] today's feat I agree Alton. My onset was within less than 10 minutes..and paralysis from the waist down . Seems more likely to be something quick like a stroke/infarction than something underlying like a virus, infection or autoimmune reaction. I was given the TM diagnosis though..and no one ever mentioned a stroke. Sue M -Original Message- From: Alton Ryder [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 8:52 PM To: TM list Subject: Re: [TMIC] today's feat My neuro thinks I had a spinal cord infarction(stroke) but all my symptoms sound similar to TM I believe that I, too, had an infarction within the spinal cord. The onset was twenty or thirty minutes, start to finish. That seems more consistent with an infarction, not an infection or an autoimmune reaction. I went from normality to paraplegic that suddenly. Alton
Re: [TMIC] today's feat
Thanks everyone for your input. I will think about getting a minivan instead of the car. I didn't hear from anyone who was still driving a car, everyone I heard from drove some type of van,and using a lift or ramp. I guess I am safer, and so too is probably everyone else on the road with me! :-) Bobberino and silent 3 Frank always bring a smile... thanks again all...Another great fall day here in sunny Michigan,Deb C. No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com
Re: [TMIC] today's feat
Hi Deb and everyone else on the list. I too, stay in the background. I just recently got a new minivan. I get in with a power chair but I can get into the front seat on my own. I took hand control lessons but hated it. I can, however, drive with my right leg but put the hand controls in just in case. What is a chair topper? I get in the van on a ramp. I do not have a real diagnosis. My neuro thinks I had a spinal cord infarction(stroke) but all my symptoms sound similar to TM - that is why all your input is interesting to me. I can do just about anything but walk on my own. I use a walker at times but I am actually walking with my hands. Cant stand on my own. I know someone who trades his minivan in when he wants another one but I dont know anything about re-sale value.I imagine that most of the cost is lost in the trade. I would be uncomfortable buying a van from a private p arty. Would rather go thru a dealer. Anyhow good luck with driving. Rosalie from New York (on the way to Fla. soon in my new minivan)
RE: Fwd: [TMIC] today's feat
Hello Alton. I know this a pretty late response but I just wanted to say hello and hope that you are feeling better.I'm also having alot of trouble with my shoulders - I guess I am asking quite a bit more of them now and they are complaining because they don't like their new job as legs. If you can, get the hand controls. They are amazingly easy to use and have given me my freedom back. the only twinge I get is making a left turn in my right shoulder. I'm thinking that I may have damaged my rotater cuff (sp?) - previously I have snapped my collar bones.:) have a great weekend, Deb C. in MI.--- On Thu 09/28, Alton Ryder [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:From: Alton Ryder [mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]To: tmic-list@eskimo.comDate: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 20:48:17 -0400Subject: Fwd: [TMIC] today's feat Begin forwarded message: From: Alton Ryder [EMAIL PROTECTED]Date: September 28, 2006 8:47:20 PM EDTTo: Carol E [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: Re: [TMIC] today's feat I can not use my right foot for the brake I lost my kinethetic senses in the right leg. If I pick my foot up off the gas pedal, I have no idea where it will come down. After driving a stick shift since the early '50's we had to trade in our Subaru for the same model with a slush pot. Bummer! For the next 8 years I drove a lot - even with an AFO on the ankle - keeping my heel down and lifting my toe. Braking was with the left foot.Now I'm grounded with two blown shoulders, once again begging for rides.Alton No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com
Re: [TMIC] today's feat
My neuro thinks I had a spinal cord infarction(stroke) but all my symptoms sound similar to TMI believe that I, too, had an infarction within the spinal cord.The onset was twenty or thirty minutes, start to finish. That seems more consistent with an infarction, not an infection or an autoimmune reaction. I went from normality to paraplegic that suddenly.Alton
Re: [TMIC] today's feat
Hi Alton have you considered driving with hand controls.( I have no control with my feet at all.) I do that and I also drove a stick shift using hand controls, now I have advanced to an automatic, makes life a little bit easier. Plus side is that I can still be independant. regards Ann in Ireland where it is wet and windy. - Original Message - From: Alton Ryder To: TM list Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 1:48 AM Subject: Fwd: [TMIC] today's feat Begin forwarded message: From: Alton Ryder [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: September 28, 2006 8:47:20 PM EDT To: Carol E [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [TMIC] today's feat I can not use my right foot for the brake I lost my kinethetic senses in the right leg. If I pick my foot up off the gas pedal, I have no idea where it will come down. After driving a stick shift since the early '50's we had to trade in our Subaru for the same model with a slush pot. Bummer! For the next 8 years I drove a lot - even with an AFO on the ankle - keeping my heel down and lifting my toe. Braking was with the left foot. Now I'm grounded with two blown shoulders, once again begging for rides. Alton
Re: [TMIC] today's feat
Congratulations, Krissy! I remember wondering when and whether I'd be able to drive again and contemplating the impact that would have on my family. It is so nice to be able to -- gives a great measure of independence. Hopefully it will get easier and better for you along the way! Barbara H. http://barbarah.wordpress.com/ In a message dated 9/28/2006 3:38:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I drove today! first time in over a year...was hard and used every muscle in my thigh and my foot slipped sometimes but I DID it ~Brightest of Blessings~ ~Krissy~
Re: [TMIC] today's feat
Oh Krissy What a feat for you! Congratulations. You just gained so much! I'm happy for you! Patti - Michigan Krissy Z [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I drove today! first time in over a year...was hard and used every muscle in my thigh and my foot slipped sometimes but I DID it ~Brightest of Blessings~ ~Krissy~ ·.»§« ·´¯`·.,¸*¸,.·´¯`·.»§«·.»§« ·´ May today there be peace within you. May you trust that you are exactly where you want to be. Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. ·.»§« ·´¯`·.,¸*¸,.·´¯`·.»§«·.»§« ·´¯`·.,¸*¸,.·´¯`·.»§«·. - Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.
[TMIC] today's feat
I drove today! first time in over a year...was hard and used every muscle in my thigh and my foot slipped sometimes but I DID it~Brightest of Blessings~ ~Krissy~ ·.»§« ·´¯`·.,¸*¸,.·´¯`·.»§«·.»§« ·´May today there be peace within you. May you trust that you are exactly where you want to be.Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. ·.»§« ·´¯`·.,¸*¸,.·´¯`·.»§«·.»§« ·´¯`·.,¸*¸,.·´¯`·.»§«·. Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.
Re: [TMIC] today's feat
Hi Krissy, I dont usually write but I can relate to your driving. I drove last week for the first time in a year also. I learned hand controls but hate them so I do drive with my foot. Dont you just feel great. Rosalie
Re: [TMIC] today's feat
Congratulations! Great work. I know how hard it is. I can not use my right foot for the brake as I just can't move it quickly enough to get over there. I do just fine using my left foot for the brake. The first time I tried to drive, I nearly went through my daughter's garage door. We both laughed later, but it was a pretty tense moment. I was in forward instead of reverse! LOL! That was my brain not working, NOT my legs! Carol in Culver, IN - Original Message - From: Krissy Z To: TM List ; TMA-New-England Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 3:37 PM Subject: [TMIC] today's feat I drove today! first time in over a year...was hard and used every muscle in my thigh and my foot slipped sometimes but I DID it ~Brightest of Blessings~ ~Krissy~ ·.»§« ·´¯`·.,¸*¸,.·´¯`·.»§«·.»§« ·´May today there be peace within you. May you trust that you are exactly where you want to be.Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. ·.»§« ·´¯`·.,¸*¸,.·´¯`·.»§«·.»§« ·´¯`·.,¸*¸,.·´¯`·.»§«·. Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.
