Paraplegic wanting to drive

[AWill]

I've wanted to be a truck driver since I was a kid watching BJ and the Bear. I got paralyzed at age 16 in a motorcycle accident and never knew paraplegics we're driving trucks. Among a view videos I saw there was a guy with a wheelchair lift on his truck that raised him up into the side of the sleeper and that open my eyes to the possibility of OTR trucking. I've worked phone jobs and in retail and it's not what I want to do. Now I'm 48, divorced, two grown kids and a granddaughter. I'm ready to hit the road and full fill a lifelong dream.

 

[Mike]

Best of luck! Not sure what the process is to get started, but would love to follow along with your journey toward this.

 

[AWill]

I've had a driver's license and driving since 1990 and
I know I'm going to have to pass a physical and everything with the doctor to get cleared for driving. The easy part is the written part of the test but I'm trying to find a place that will train me behind the wheel. If anybody has any info I'd appreciate it.

 

[Rigjockey]

I have seen a guy in a wheel chair that is a truck driver.
I wasn't really paying attention to the truck parked nearby until the guy rolled by in a wheel chair. I was like holy shit!
They had an article about the guy in one of the trucking magazines and I will be damned if I can find it to post here. If I remember right the company outfitted his truck with a lift and other things to accommodate him.
So yeah, It can be done. I am not sure if you want to own your own truck or seek out a company that will accommodate you.
But, yeah it definetly can be done!
I wish you nothing but the best and hope you get to realise your goal of becoming a driver.

Please keep us posted.

 

[AWill]

Thank you. I would like to find a company that can accommodate me but becoming an o/o is not out of the question. I'm just in the beginning stages but I'm tired of talking about wanting to do it and I just want to do it. DO IT!

 

[Duck]

I think a few years ago @mndriver employed a driver who was missing half of one of his arms. There was a skills demonstration thing that he had to do in order to get a medical card. He might remember some of the government hoops he had to jump through.

Obviously you'd need a specially equipped truck though.

 

[GAnthony]

I've wanted to be a truck driver since I was a kid watching BJ and the Bear. I got paralyzed at age 16 in a motorcycle accident and never knew paraplegics we're driving trucks. Among a view videos I saw there was a guy with a wheelchair lift on his truck that raised him up into the side of the sleeper and that open my eyes to the possibility of OTR trucking. I've worked phone jobs and in retail and it's not what I want to do. Now I'm 48, divorced, two grown kids and a granddaughter. I'm ready to hit the road and full fill a lifelong dream.

most likely, a company that has an automatic fleet would be your best bet.

you would have to contact CDL schools in you area for training, and any special requirements.

i too had seen a wheel chaired driver but only once and he had some sort of loading ramp system, but i think he owned his truck. as it certainly did not look like any ordinary company one.

 

[AWill]

Yes, I'm looking at schools here in Kern county. I would hope to eventually get my own truck. When I lived back east I knew a paraplegic that was an o/o but he was a truck driver before he became a paraplegic so he just modified his own truck.

 

[Rigjockey]

Yes, I'm looking at schools here in Kern county. I would hope to eventually get my own truck. When I live back east I knew a paraplegic that wasn't o/o but he was a truck driver before he became a paraplegic so he just modified his own truck.

I think your biggest hurdle here is getting the training.

 

[mndriver]

It’s called a “skills performance evaluation”

@Junkyarddog is still around.

finding the physicians for the medical exams will be the hardest part.

Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate Program | FMCSA

The Skill Performance Evaluation program is for CMV drivers who drive in interstate commerce. The SPE certification allows drivers with missing or impaired limbs to drive CMVs across state lines if they have been fitted with (and are wearing) the right prosthetic device, and the driver can...

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

 

[mndriver]

Bigger issue will be getting in and out of the truck.

then there’s the entire ADA access to a lot of shippers/receiver warehouses.

 

[AWill]

 

[AWill]

@mndriver I don't really like the top lift because I'd have to throw my wheels up into the cab. But thanks for sharing the video because other people need to see this stuff too.

 

[mndriver]

That’s just the first I found. There’s a couple of videos out there with much better lifts than this.

just examples of people doing what you want to do is all.

so you’re not the first to make this effort.

 

[Fast Freddy]

I've wanted to be a truck driver since I was a kid watching BJ and the Bear. I got paralyzed at age 16 in a motorcycle accident and never knew paraplegics we're driving trucks. Among a view videos I saw there was a guy with a wheelchair lift on his truck that raised him up into the side of the sleeper and that open my eyes to the possibility of OTR trucking. I've worked phone jobs and in retail and it's not what I want to do. Now I'm 48, divorced, two grown kids and a granddaughter. I'm ready to hit the road and full fill a lifelong dream.

I wish you the best of luck sir.

And thanks for posting. I’ve been going through some health issues but it pales in comparison to what you’ve been through.

Your post reminded me of one of my best friends in high school. His father had no arms. He lost them in an accident at a meat packing plant he worked in. But I gotta tell you he didn’t let it hold him back. He actually drove a pickup truck with his legs. It was amazing how flexible he was. One time he drove by my house and I waved at him and immediately felt like an idiot for doing so but to my amazement he shook his foot at me. It’s really amazing the triumph of the human spirit and the ability to adapt and overcome.

I’ve always been one to root for the underdog. And I’ll be rooting for you.

 

[AWill]

Thank you @Fast Freddy and I appreciate the support from the people in this forum. In one of the videos of a guy getting in the truck from his wheelchair on the side of the truck it says Roadmaster Driving School.
800-833-1300 I see there's one in Fontana California.
I'm calling in the morning

 

[mndriver]

Good place to start if they’ve helped someone in the past.

 

[mndriver]

I’ve had a one legged wonder and a one armed bandit drive under my authority.

getting that SPE will be the most critical thing.

I’d suggest getting the physical, getting the spe and then doing the written tests. You can study for that with the online tests and manual from the state that’s available.

If you can’t get the physical and the spe, the rest is irrelevant.

 

[Fast Freddy]

Thank you @Fast Freddy and I appreciate the support from the people in this forum. In one of the videos of a guy getting in the truck from his wheelchair on the side of the truck it says Roadmaster Driving School.
800-833-1300 I see there's one in Fontana California.
I'm calling in the morning

Many states will pay for training as well.

 

[AWill]

@mndriver @Fast Freddy I'm hopeful and looking forward to tomorrow morning when I'm able to speak to somebody at Roadmaster. Good looking out guys, I appreciate it. @mndriver I've been studying online. If I remember correctly I can't get an SPE from my primary doctor. Don't I have to go to a Dr that's certified from DMV? I'm thinking when I checked in there before I need to go to a place in Santa Clarita. Going to check on it.