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An edited version of the following article appeared in The Ottawa Citizen on Saturday, August 11, 2001 Driving just one part of the journeyMike
Nemesvary Mike Nemesvary, a former champion freestyle skier, is attempting to become the first quadriplegic to drive around the world - a 40,000 kilometer trek to raise funds for spinal cord injury research and rehabilitation. South Australia Apart from our brief visit to the famous natural Ayer's Rock, our Australian trek has been relatively uneventful. So I thought I would focus this article on an area that has been misunderstood and perhaps not clearly communicated. That is, how I, a quadriplegic, can drive my vehicle around the world. Some of my friends back in Canada have told me that many people don't even realize that I am doing all the driving. So, let's set the record straight. I am a C 4/5 (Complete) quadriplegic, the sole driver of my 4x4 truck and driving the vehicle from my electric wheelchair. One great misconception about people with spinal cord injuries is the difference between a quadriplegic and a paraplegic. Fundamentally a paraplegic has lost use of their two limbs (legs) below the waist. A quadriplegic has lost use of all four limbs (arms and legs). Depending on the location of the broken vertebra and whether the spinal cord is completely or partially severed dictates how much independence and physical function a person will retain. For example, Rick Hansen (a paraplegic) has full use of his arms and upper body and with the correct technical aids can live more or less independently. Christopher Reeve (a quadriplegic) has no use of his lower or upper body and is so highly paralysed that he is dependent on a ventilator to help him breathe and needs 24-hour care to facilitate his activities of daily living. My quadriplegia places me somewhere in the middle. My level of paralysis is around the nipple line and I have limited feeling and functioning in my arms. I have no use of my abdomen and limited use of my chest - fortunately I can breathe without the aid of a machine. I have strips of feeling and limited function in my arms - I have biceps but no triceps muscles so I can pull but not push. My greatest loss is the complete loss of feeling or functional use of my hands. So, how do I drive? As I am cannot independently transfer out of my wheelchair I drive from my electric wheelchair. The frame of my Chevrolet Blazer "Silverado" has been modified to accommodate a KVB Manufacturing "Elaine Ann Lift System". The floor has been lowered 18" and the driver's door has been widened 16" to provide enough space for the lift and wheelchair driver. A magnetic key which I hold with a large ring in my right hand activates 11 different electronic and hydraulic operations to get in and out of the truck. My primary controls are an electronic gas and brake unit (EGB) which is mounted onto my driver's side door and is activated with my left wrist which sits in a "Y" grip and splint mechanism to provide support. The unit has a very sensitive lever - to brake I move the lever forward and to accelerate I move the lever backwards. The steering column has been extended to bring the wheel closer to me and provide space for my wheelchair and long legs. The steering wheel has reduced effort steering which is extremely easy to move. Attached to the wheel at the 7:00 position is another splint referred to as a "Tri-Pin Grip" and I position my right wrist in this splinting device. The grip allows me to direct all the strength from my shoulder and right-side biceps muscles directly through to the wheel in order to maintain control of the truck. The essential secondary controls are mounted on a customized headrest that can be moved electronically forward and backward into position behind my head. I use different parts of my head to activate the switches, including the indicator signals, the windshield wipers and the horn. The "non-essential" secondary controls that aren't required while driving, like the hand brake, window controls and headlights, are set on a consol between the driver and passenger seats. Of course it's one thing to outfit the truck with all the modifications and driving controls but there are many other considerations and challenges that go hand-in-hand with being a quadriplegic out on the road. When I have the vehicle in for repairs, I often feel disempowered as it is difficult to instruct the mechanics, not being able to look under the hood or under the vehicle. As the lift system is quite complicated to operate and I don't have a driver's seat, I have to be at the garage to operate the lift or drive the truck on and off the hoist. And, sometimes, I have had to deal with a mechanical failure of the lift system leaving me sitting in the truck up to ten hours trying to remedy the problem. Refuelling is challenging as "Full Service" gas stations are becoming a rarity and I'm unable to operate a gas pump at the "Self Serve"stations. Just paying for gas is difficult with often inaccessible service counters. Minor irritants can be quite frustrating as my hands and arms are locked into their splints and must remain in those positions while moving. I can't even scratch my nose or push up my glasses while driving. Just getting my glasses on or off on my own can take as long as five minutes. As I have limited range in turning my head from side to side I can't perform visual checks when changing lanes. I have set my side-view mirrors much wider to eliminate the blind spot when changing lanes or passing. Severe muscle spasms have the potential of shaking my wrists completely out of their steering, electronic gas and brake splints. Fortunately, I receive noticeable physical signals before it gets to a potentially dangerous stage and I am always able to stop and relieve the muscle spastisity. Parking is one of my greatest challenges and annoyances. As my driver side door is 1½ times larger than a conventional door I must park strategically so no one parks next to me blocking me in. Even when I park in many of the designated disabled parking spots there is not enough space to open my door and exit the vehicle. On many occasions drivers have squeezed up next to me with little regard to painted lines or designation signs. Best case scenario is that I get a friend (if I'm not alone) or a stranger to enter the truck from the passenger side, climb over the control consul, disengage the electronic gas and brake, start the vehicle by the remote electronic starter; then, if they haven't yet lost confidence, move the truck while steering and braking in a standing position until there is enough room to open the door. Worst case scenario (which has happened many times) is I wait hours until the person returns to move their vehicle. Often they could care less where they've parked and are unapologetic for my long wait! Often, I can't find parking spots at all and public parking lots require you to manually take a ticket which I can't manage when I travelling on my own. Parking meters which make it compulsory for everyone to pay for are also impossible for me as I can't get the coins into the slots. Getting in and out of the vehicle can be difficult as well. Ice doesn't allow traction for my wheelchair while heavy snow can prevent the lift from sitting even or preventing my chair from getting to the truck. Potholes, puddles and curbs without cuts/slopes are all potential barriers to me. Getting comfortable while driving independently is usually a great compromise. As I can't get my jackets and sweaters on or off on my own I'm generally too hot or too cold especially when the weather conditions have changed from my departure point until my destination. But, despite all of the aforementioned modifications to the vehicle, special equipments, time-consuming tasks, setbacks and frustrations I love what driving and being out on the road does for my peace-of-mind, self confidence and ultimately my independence. I love to drive and the challenges are all worth it in the end! Over the past 131 days we have clocked 25,025 kilometres ... just three
months, 3 more countries and 15,975 kilometres to go! To get involved or to donate to the ‘Round The World Challenge, please visit our web site at http://www.roundtheworldchallenge.com or contact the office at 613-274-7955.
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