Not many moons ago, I named my car Mabel...inspired by a summer where her reliability could best be described as MAYBE. A 1996 Mercury Cougar, Mabel's no spring chicken, but she's much more than a hunk of junk to me. Mabel represents a fight for independence that I braved in the trenches for over TWO years, which is also known as eternity in high school. I wound my way through the dizzying maze of vocational rehabilitation's evaluations, mysteriously long waiting periods, and somewhere around a million lessons. I didn't start out as the stellar driver I am today. AFTER all that, it was determined that the best adaptive device for me would be a hydraulic pedal system that would allow me to drive with my legs but use less pressure than traditional pedals. My pedal box was also built up to reach my not-so-long legs. The catch? The adaptation took a YEAR! A year of paying car payments, a year of paying insurance, and a year of waiting.....Somehow I managed and on a summer day in 1999, Mabel was finally all mine! We've been inseparable ever since-literally! Because my adaptations are so specialized, I can't drive any other car.
Until yesterday...
Mabel's pedals, her pride and joy, took their last hydraulic breath...May they rest in peace.
I pulled out of the 5th floor of the hospital garage and my gas wouldn't work...Luckily, my brakes did so I glided down the garage ramps and made it into an open spot to call for help/pick-up. With Miami traffic, it's no simple favor to give someone a ride. I hate being dependent on others but I'm really thankful that I have friends (and a fiance!) who were willing to help.
For now, I'm car-less...But that needs to change-and fast! I spent all morning on the phone looking into different options:
- Started the application process for Miami's Special Transportation Services...which doesn't seem so special after all but it's a good idea to prevent future strandings if I break anything (bones or cars). It'll take a minimum of 3 weeks to process and then they can't guarantee my pickup times. I wonder how I'd phrase that to my patients and their family, "I'll try to be here but I can't guarantee when!"
- Spoke to Vocational Rehabilitation who said I am eligible for assistance to adapt another vehicle I buy but I'd have to start the entire process over again (from evaluation to doctors' notes to fittings to death by waiting).
- My friend and I did manage to get Mabel back home to her final resting spot. The car drives-just not by me anymore.
- I fielded the repeated question from associates, friends, coworkers, "Why don't you just a rent a car?" I don't think they offer my variety.
- And the silver lining in my gloomy cloud...I spoke to an unnamed (for now) car company with what seems to be an awesome program for vehicle modification. There's hope but I don't want to get my hopes up just yet! Too much to plan.
What I do know is that I will NOT be getting the same pedals again. Since my evaluations in high school, my legs have gotten much stronger from swimming and independent/active living. I'm aiming for basic pedal extensions and if the brake is a little stiff, I've heard they can loosen the pressure slightly. I'll also need another cushion customized to the car and there might be even more modification fun but that story's for another day.
Feel free to leave your best wishes to Mabel. She's enjoyed quite the decade in our community and before long she'll be just another walker's car.
[Photo caption: Me (Kara) seated in my red Mercury Cougar with the door
open to make room to load my wheelchair. My pedal box can be seen under
the steering wheel.]
