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 have also started a thread on the Health Board.

Thanks

nearlyrich

Is he entitled to any DLA or other benefits? disabled drivers get help with adapting cars under the motability scheme. I don't know much about it from recent experience but I am sure there will be someone along soon who will be able to advise you.

mae

Thanks, no we have never tried for any benefits but I doubt he would be? I don't think he can get help with motability unless he is on benefits from what I have read.

Thanks

anewman

You don't know on benefits until you try, might be a good idea to ask around about it.

I would post a message on http://www.2passforum.co.uk/ too

Guess it would be somewhat heartless of an examiner to select all the manoevers that would ordinarily utilise full movement and observation, but suppose a general standard has to be set.

mae

anewman wrote: »

You don't know on benefits until you try, might be a good idea to ask around about it.

I would post a message on http://www.2passforum.co.uk/ too

Guess it would be somewhat heartless of an examiner to select all the manoevers that would ordinarily utilise full movement and observation, but suppose a general standard has to be set.

Thanks I've just registered and posted the question on the forum you recommended so I'll see if that brings any advice.

shown73

It's not so much reversing that's likely to be the problem, after all van drivers have to do it with mirrors. From experience, although I don't have such a severe problem, I do have a bit restricted neck movement, and some situations are beginning to worry me a bit. For example, angled junctions, such as many motorway slip road exits. These can be quite severly angled, though quite why, I don't know. In any case, I have to angle my car, and swivel in the seat as much as possible in order to see what is coming. So far, I manage, but if it gets any worse, I'm going to jack it in and let OH drive. It's one thing putting myself at risk, but not other people. Mind you, I have even more trouble in some vans in this situation, some of them have ridiculously limited angled vision, just at that point where mirrors are no good either.