My van

For no reason in particular, today is the day that I am going to celebrate the fact that I can drive. If you really think about it, isn't it scary knowing that there are people paralyzed from the chest down strapped into their wheelchairs driving vans with whatever limited use of their arms they have? If you ask MY family they would say unequivocally YES!
It is amazing that technology can give me this gift. My chair locks into the van, I have buttons for every function imaginable, seatbelts custom built so that I'm strapped in when my chair locks, a mini steering wheel for my right hand and an electronic gas/brake for my left hand. I also have an elbow control that names functions when I tap it and executes that function when I tap it again.
Anybody who has been without a car for an extended period of time can understand the frustration of having to rely on others and public transportation to get around. It is much more difficult being in a wheelchair. There are no accessible taxi's in the 'burbs. There aren't that many in Boston! The MBTA is better than it used to be...marginally! I can drive my wheelchair short distances but if it rains...forgeddabboudit! The Ride? Don't get me started on them, they need an overhaul because they are a disaster.
I am VERY grateful for my minivan and the ability to drive!