Hi, and welcome to NC!

Not sure where you live in NC, but we are in the Charlotte
area. Have used an approved contractor (named Vann Mann)for
a van lift. We were also impressed with Ilderton in High
Point, NC (over an hour away from us though).

We got funding for my daughter through a federally funded
state-administered program called CAP. It's paid for up to
$10,000 for a wheel chair lift for us (which was enough to
cover it all). Besides the adaptive equipment it also pays
for her wheel chair; Physical therapy (PT), ST and OT; as
well as a CAP assistant person and respite care.

We had to get on a waiting list and finally got approval
for this program. It's not based on income but is based on
the needs of the person. The more you need it the more
likely you'll get approved. Each county has a number of
slots and some have longer waiting lists than others. We
got approved when we lived inside the Charlotte limits, but
then moved from Mecklenburg to Union County and they had to
transfer Breanna's CAP slot. We have to re-apply each year
but as long as we do she keeps her slot.

Breanna has a T-12 Myelo and we expect her to start driving
in about 4 years (she's 11 1/2 now). She still walks in
chest high braces and uses a treadmill about 30 min. /day.
But she's in a wheel chair for most of the day.
She loves playing wheel chair basketball, riding horses and
her handcycle. She loves The Lord and she's sweet as honey
but has a grip like a bear trap :-)

We've talked to the Vann Mann about adaptations and it
doesn't sound like a big deal. They assess what the
individual person needs and give you the options. Sounds
like Garion might benefit from hand controls? But he
probably doesn't need a wheel chair lift or ramp. CAP
requires us to get a couple of estimates and the Vann Mann
knows exactly what to do to work with the process. It takes
awhile.

We currently have a '99 Pontiac Montana with a Super Arm
lift and tie downs. But we recently found out about a new
seat made by Toyota and Braun that rotates out and drops
down so Breanna can transfer into it. We're excited that we
can finally get a regular van without a lot of
modifications and Breanna can sit in a regular seat (which
is actually safer in crash tests) beside her brother! We've
applied for her to get a lighter aluminum frame wheel chair
and that will be easier to lift and put in the back of the
van.

Most auto manufacturers (except Honda) offer about $1,000
for adaptive equipment that's needed when you buy a NEW
car.

If you have more questions, please call my wife, Kim at
1-800-84-SBANC (7-2262). She's the executive director for
the SB Association of NC and knows way more than I do :-)

Hope some of this is helpful for you and others in the
group. I'd love to hear what others are doing.

Best regards!

-- Mike



--- lashahh <lashahh@...> wrote:
> In NC kids can get their driving permits at 15, right?
> Does anybody
> have experience with SB kids/adults driving? Garion has
> L3-L4 Meylo
> and walks with AFOs and recently started using
> Loftstrands to improve
> his gait.
>
> Also, is it super expensive to retro-fit a car, if that's
> what he
> requires? Are there any agencies to help with the cost?
>
>
>


Michael H. Gates

Gatekeeper Group, Inc. http://www.gatekeepergroupinc.com/pr

"Faithful messengers are as refreshing as snow in the heat of summer. They
revive the spirit of their employer." -- Prov. 25:13 (NLT)







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