Klippel Feil syndrome and driving?

mae

Hi... our DS who is 17 has kippel feil syndrome and one of the symptoms of this is that the bones in his neck are fused. Obviously this means very limited movement in his neck. He is going to be starting to learn to drive but I am worried about how he is going to do reversing etc with limited neck movement.

I have been told he could have an assessment for £150 and then have a car adapted eg extra mirrors (more costs).

I was wondering if there was anywhere he could get help with the costs of this? He does not claim any kind of benefits as I doubt he would qualify for any but I think its unfair that he has these extra costs?

I wasn't sure where to post this so I hope here is ok but I may also start a thread in the motoring section.

Thanks

angie_loves_veg

I had a hunt about on the direct.gov website - found this:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Yourvehicleandlicence/DG_10028000

scroll down to 'Financial help and VAT relief' - it looks like there may be a grant available, but you will have to delve further.

If money is a problem when financing the car or adaptations, Motability may be able to provide a grant through their own charitable fund or the Specialised Vehicle Funds, which they administer for the government.

also:

Any adaptation work that is done on an unadapted vehicle to make it suitable for a disabled person's condition, whether or not that person is a wheelchair user, is also eligible for zero-rating. However, there is no VAT relief on the purchase of an unadapted vehicle.
For more information, read the notice 'Motor vehicles for disabled people' on the HM Revenue & Customs website.

hth

mae

Thanks for that Angie but I have had a quick look and its seems he would need to be claiming benefits to be able to get a grant or financial help from motability?

Thanks again

angie_loves_veg

I know nothing about the syndrome that your DS is suffering, but assuming that it is partially limiting movement, is he not able to be claiming the mobility part of DLA?

edit - no, having read further, as he can walk, and does not need constant accompanyment when outdoors, it is clearly not suitable for him. sorry

have you spoken to CAB?? Maybe they can advise of an avenues that you could persue?

mae

To be honest we have never tried but he can walk he just cannot move his head from left to right he has to turn all his body and he is only sometimes in a little discomfort so I assume it would be pointless him trying?

Or maybe we should try I am really not sure what qualifies someone to the motability part?

angie_loves_veg

I think that a visit to the CAB really would be a good bet - you would get advice as to any benefits he may be entitiled to, or they may be able to point you in the direction of any grants available to him.

Good luck

wolfehouse

i know it's not what you want to hear but i doubt he would be eleigible for the high rate mobility that would entitle him to join motability. they do have a grants dept. (for driving lessons etc) but i don't know if you have to be on benefit to claim.

as for extra mirrors etc. in the scheme of things, the cost of an assessment is a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of running a car. You also need to inform your insurance company if he has extra mirrors etc.

from personal experience I think he should be able to drive alright with proper adaptations. after all complete quadraplegics drive vans.

you could try asking on the disabled drivers !!!. forum(they seem to have an updated image and name- mobilise)
http://www.mobilise.info/

i assume its a mobility centre that would assess you ds
you can phone their free-phone number and try to pick their brains for more info as well
http://www.mobility-centres.org.uk/

I would be looking to charities (maybe condition related)for one off grants to help him with cost as others have suggested. there should be a government run disability information centre in your area that can help you search and apply for these.
ask dial for your local one.
http://www.dialuk.info/about.asp