Tony Mullinder
Tony lives with arthritis and heart and lung conditions, alongside neurological challenges. In August 2021, he also sustained a right-sided injury after a fall down some stairs. This resulted in a non-functional right hand and restrictions affecting his shoulder, arm and elbow. While these limitations have had a significant impact on daily life, the reduced function in his right hand has been the primary barrier to driving.
Since the fall, Tony relied on patient transport to attend appointments, which limited his ability to travel independently and contributed to feelings of isolation.
Tony learnt about the Driving Assessment Grant (DAG) when he visited his local driving assessment centre, North East Drive Mobility, which is part of the Driving Mobility network of independent mobility centres. The grant scheme, supported by the Motability Foundation and administered by Driving Mobility, provides financial assistance for drivers with disabilities or health conditions who are not Motability Scheme customers, with the costs of assessments, adaptations, and familiarisation tuition.
Following a specialist assessment, recommendations were made to support Tony’s driving and mobility needs. These included a 13-way remote device used to steer and operate secondary control such as indicators and wipers, alongside a four-way hoist to allow for easier transport of his scooter.
Tony said:
This will change my whole life. I’m hoping to go and see different places. It will help my mental health, get me out more and allow me to enjoy my life again. At the moment, I can’t get out at all, and this is making me feel very isolated. I hope this will expand my mental wellbeing.
Asif Hussain
Asif attended our Teesside outreach centre to establish a new way of driving after having amputation of all four limbs. With the aid of his prosthetic lower limb, he demonstrated suitable control and movement between the foot pedals that no adaptations to accelerator or brake were necessary.
Steering, however was more of a challenge. Despite attending his assessment with a variety of upper limb prosthesis to try, non were safe enough to control the wheel. Before any on road driving took place, the assessment team went away to do some research to find a suitable steering aid for Asif.
After being invited back to continue his assessment, Asif went on to complete a full on-road drive using his prosthetic lower limb to operate the conventional foot pedals, and a steering cone on the wheel to steer. Asif was also provided with information on small adaptations which will allow him to independently fasten his seatbelt to ensure that he can be a fully independent driver.
Asif now has his licence back with the relevant codes on to reflect the change in the way he drives.
Keith Dungait
Keith visited our main centre at Walkergate Park after sustaining a life changing injury whilst on holiday. He was a keen driver but didn’t know how, if at all, he would be able to get back to driving due to being in a powered wheelchair with insufficient movement in his lower limbs to drive using foot pedals, and he also had some restrictions in his upper limbs too.
Since his accident he also suffers from a lot of anxiety which he is very open about, but it did make the assessment process difficult for him as a result. The assessment was tailored around Keith and his needs to help reduce his anxiety. After completing a period of tuition with the service, Keith found his new way of driving – using a hand controlled single lever accelerator and brake with trigger indicator, and a steering ball. He also manages to do an internal transfer from his wheelchair into the driver’s seat.
He now has his licence back, with the relevant codes to match his new way of driving, and is in communication with Motability to arrange leasing a vehicle bespoke to him.