Okay, maybe I’m just a retard here (shut up, D!, Jen) but I really didn’t know this…
I’m scheduled to have my shoulder repaired on March 17th and figured that I’d be off work for a couple of days, and maybe working from home for a week or so. I just learned that for the minimum 2 weeks that I’ll be in a sling, I can’t drive! That is to say that I could probably do it, but I’d be driving uninsured. Funny, but it never occurred to me that I wouldn’t be able to drive (an automatic) vehicle for that long afterwards… Oh well - looks like I’d better stock up on groceries et al beforehand!
Had shoulder repaired a year ago this month and had a devil of a time trying to drive to surgery follow-up appointments. Depending upon what they do (arthoscopic or open shoulder) you will have decreased range of motion just after the surgery. I had open shoulder surgery which involved basically disconnecting tendons, taking out sections of bones and ligaments, putting me back together and fixing the tears.
Suggestion: Get a pretty nurse to help you for the first two weeks…maybe even tuck you into bed!
(On a serious note, invest in some good ice packs if you don’t have them and be prepared to sleep in a recliner chair.)
I am not “able bodied”. I drive without the use of my legs, using a hand control for brake/accelerator and the other hand for steering of course. I do not pay anything “extra” for auto insurance. In fact, It would most likely be illegal to do so under the ADA. My insurance company is aware of my driving abilities and the additional value of my van with wheelchair conversion and does not charge me additional for that either.
As long as you don’t try to do anything stupid like eat, drink or talk on the cell phone, driving with one hand is safe.
As long as you don’t try to do anything stupid like eat, drink or talk on the cell phone, driving with one hand is safe.
Maybe that’s the kicker - I’m used to having two hands with which to eat, text, look up stuff on my PDA and drive, all at the same time. With only one good arm that might be dangerous!
Yes you can drive. After breaking my collarbone and opposing wrist in crit accident, I drove 75 miles home and to the hospital. Drove around fine after that. Turns were a little ticky, but I managed.
> That is to say that I could probably do it, but I’d be driving uninsured.
Sure, the act of driving would be possible. Probably not even that hard. But I wouldn’t be insured, and thus would be driving illegally. Add to that the fact that I live in BC, the only (free) place in the world that I can think of that has a government sponsored monopoly on (automotive) insurance… “Find another company” isn’t an option, or I’d have left ICBC years ago (along with everyone else in the province).
Says you buster, I could round you up a dozen in as many minutes, although they would have to be at least 15 years old for me to be able to import one for you (WTF)!
Good to hear you’re scheduled in for surgery now, you expect to be cleared for Vashon Island?
Not likely - when is it again? Frankly I’ll be thrilled if I’m cleared to race 'cross this fall. The 2009 tri season is pretty much a write-off for me.
Once the right is good to go we’ll probably do the left in rapid succession - kill 2 birds with one nuke and all…
