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Clinton News-Record, 1973-12-13, Page 15in altering a car to Elaine's needs the original steering column was first replaced and a wheel with a shorter column and a smaller wheel substituted. The wheel is the type used in dune buggies and Is located about 16 inches from the floor. The brake and accelerator have been extended and the dimmer switch mounted on the dash. The ignition switch has also been moved from the steering column to the dash. Finally the hand emergency brake was exchanged for a foot pedal type. Working weekends and in the evenings Barry Young managed to complete the work in only one week. (staff photo) Like any proud owner of a new car Elaine Is given a send off by Joe Murphy, left of J.T. Mur- phy Ltd. In Clinton and mechanic Barry Young, an employee of the automotive company. The new Duster was specially altered to meet Elaine's needs by Mr. Young. The dealership also helped Elaine choose what sort of car, and with what options, she should order so that it would be beat suited to modification. (staff photo) meworattreumrssiwerdemeroxmmtwvavxmismtwogv azsrsrgsieyiszirz Clinton, Ontario Thursday, December 13,,1973 108 Year 7 No. 30) ogwr:egg44ElzrAmgmAgmogar,pswwwvos:20,340,04erAmt4yommtwgmormr.smtromioxyAmvipso Girls' dream becomes reality by Elaine Townshentf Last spring I decided to learn to drive a car. There is nothing peculiar about a twenty-three- year-old woman reaching such a conclusion. However, the fact that I would have to drive with my feet caused a few com- plications and raised the eyebrows of several car salesmen. It was not a hasty decision. In fact, I toyed with the idea for two or three years before I gained the confidence to make the dream a reality. My parents accepted my announcement in their usual calm, encouraging, and helpful manner. I *as born without arms, and the ability to work with my feet came naturally to me. Therefore, driving would be no more dif- ficult for me, if the proper modifications could be made to a car, than for anyone else. In other words, my parents and I believed in my capability, but the obtaining and the equip- ping of an automobile presen- ted us with numerous problems. Two aspects that worried me were the Transportation Department's policy on licen- cing handicapped adults and the acquisition of insurance. Consequently, I wrote to the Ontario Ministry of Transpor- tation and Communications. Within a week, I received a reply from Mr. J.W. McLane, the Acting Manager of the Driver Examination Section. He informed me the Ministry was willing to issue an Instruc- tion Permit, which would allow me to learn to drive a motor vehicle. His department regret. ted having no suggestions to of- fer for the necessary modifications, but it would ac- cept any safe alterations mechanics could devise. Thus, when I had obtained a properly equipped automobile and felt I could successfully pass the test, the Supervisor of the Clinton' Examination Centre, Mr. Holmes, would be prepared to conduct the driving test. An insurance company proved to be similarly cooperative. The CIAG representative in Goderich, Mr, George Turton, assured me that acquiring coverage for my car would pose no difficulty. A single girl is classed at the same level as a young married man. However, I have been requested to pay a slightly higher rate for two years. This precaution, established by the insurance company, is one which I expected and under- stood. With the questions concer- ning a licence and the in- surance thus answered, only one problem remained - the car. Three possible solutions seemed worthy of investigation. First, because hand controls in vehicles, have become fairly. common devices, I thought perhaps foot controls would also be available. Geo. Mathers, a family friend, whose car is equipped with these ingenious fixtures, contacted the Canadian Paraplegic Association in Toronto, Mr. O.K. Langford, the Managing Director of the Association, in turn consulted with the War Amputations Association. From these two sources, we discovered that two theoretically possible conver- sions for foot control of an automobile are being developed - one by an international infor- mation service in Sweden and the other at Texas A. & M. University. Neither, however, is available on the commercial market, Furthermore, there is no knowledge of any one in Canada driving with the feet alone. This information left two alternatives. Could an auto manufacturer build a car specially designed to fit my needs, or would it be more logical for a local mechanic to modify an ordinary car? For several reasons, I favoured the latter idea. Asking a large com- pany to desert its assembly line and construct one automobile, for instance, seemed imprac- tical. Moreover, if the job was done in this area, I could demonstrate, as the work progressed, how I would operate the vehicle and what innovations I would require. I was relieved, therefore, when Joe Murphy, the owner of J,.8z. T. Murphy Limited in Clinton, and his mechanics accepted. the job. Before ordering a Plymouth Duster, they advised me that it should be a console model equipped with automatic tran- smission, power steering and brakes, and bucket seats, After the car arrived, Barry youn g immediately began the „alterations. The task could not, of course, be accomplished by following a pattern or instruc- tions in a manual. Instead, it required someone who possesses mechanical knowledge combined with ingenuity and the willingness to tackle a novel problem. Barry proved that he has all these qualifications. First, he replaced the original steering column and wheel with a shorter column and a smaller wheel. (The wheel is the type used in dune buggies and is situated ap- proximately sixteen inches above the floor.) He then exten- ded the brake and the ac- celerator. Also he mounted the dimmer switch on the dash and moved the ignition from the steering column to the dash, Finally,, he exchanged the hand emergency brake for a foot pedal type. From a reliable source, I learned that Barry worked on the weekend and at night to complete the job in only one week. Many people expect to see a jumble of paraphernalia. On the contrary, careful planning by Barry and expert welding by Kingswells', also in Clinton, achieved professional looking results. In fact, I have been asked if the modifications were made in a factory. To assure that I have clear visibility, a cushion has been fastened to the driver's seat. I steer with my left foot and operate the accelerator and the brake with my right foot. Also with my left foot, I can reach the gear shift, the lights and the dimmer switch, the wind- shield wipers, and the heater. Hence, when the adjustments were completed, I drove the car home. Five weeks and one thousand miles later I tried the driving test. Thanks to Mom and Dad's patient tutoring I passed. Obtaining my driver's licence has given me a feeling of in- dependence. For example, I can now provide my own transpor- tation to Conestoga College, Clinton Centre, where I am studying English. My ambition is to become a writer. Certainly the ability to travel will open many doors for me. Its exact ef- fect on my future, however, will be determined only by time. In writing this article, I hope to achieve two purposes, First, I want to thank all the people who helped me transform a dream into reality, Two per* sons I have not previously men- tioned are my grandparents, Secondly, I wish to share my experience with other han- dicapped individuals, who can perhaps benefit from it. If you have the desire and feel you are capable, it is possible for you to drive. Don't be discouraged by setbacks. Keep-trying, and I am certain you will find as much cooperation as I did. Most of all Elaine sees her new car and licence to drive as a key to Independence. She is a student at Conestoga College in Clinton where she studies English and the new mobility allows her to more easily pursue her ambition of becoming a writer. "Certainly the ability to travel will open many doors for me," she says, "but Its exact effect on my future will be determined only by time." Here she discusses an English project with her Instructor Bruce . Bjorkquist of the Clinton Conestoga Center. (staff photo) initially Elaine was concerned tibOut the Transportation Department's policy on licencing handicapped adults but upon inouiry found the detittrtment wililrio to Issue an In- struction permit and aiititng to accept shy safe alteration necessary to specially equip her car. From there oh It was as routine al for any hew driver, and she took her test suc- cessfully under the direction of supervisor Murray Holmes, (foreground) of the Clinton Examination Center, (staff photo) With no precedent to gO by, mechanical alterations to Elaine's car would seem to present a problem for mechanic Barry Young of J.Y. Murphy Ltd. at Clinton btit Mr. YOung said the arrangement to put a steering wheel on the floor proved to be easier than first suspected. The Vehicle Is equipped with power steering so the column was loWeinsd, a wheefmount_eolabout 16 inches off the floor and cannot:teens nude to titie power box. Mr. Young and Elaine disciose the alterations. (staff photo)