Easy by Name, Easy by Nature
Summary
How the Fadiel Easy Drive is transforming mobility for Australians with disabilities by enabling their independence.
For Cedric Wallace and Joel Fernandes, the recent installation by Brisbane’s Auto Extras of the Fadiel Easy Drive hand control system has made a substantial and positive impact on their lives.
Both men tell us about their journey back to driving, why they chose the Easy Drive, and the difference it is making.
Why Drive with Hand Controls?
Cedric Wallace became a double amputee after being diagnosed with a rare terminal illness, C-PAN Vasculitis. “I lost my first leg in late 2022, and the second in early 2023,” he explains.
Despite the physical setbacks, and his prognosis, Cedric was determined to drive again. “I saw driving as a way of getting back some of my independence, a way to get back to normal,” he adds.
Joel Fernandes, who has a T8-T9 spinal cord injury, has been using hand controls for years.
“I had an old push-pull mechanical system installed when I was in Melbourne, seven years ago,” he notes, “but after we moved to Queensland I was looking for a new car, and it made sense to try to also find controls that would require less strain on my body.”
Why the Easy Drive?
Both Cedric and Joel were drawn to the Fadiel Easy Drive for its smart design and ease of use.
“I was very impressed with the way the Easy Drive looked – very neat,” Cedric enthuses, “and I also didn’t want to lose control of the steering wheel – I saw I could drive using a spinner knob with my right hand, the Easy Drive with my left.”
Joel came across the Easy Drive while researching his options. “I work at Spinal Life Australia and was familiar with most of the equipment out there. I thought the different Fadiel options were worth a look once I saw the videos on the Total Ability website.”
Through a specialist driving instructor who had various controls fitted, Joel tried the Easy Drive as well as the Fadiel Satellite Accelerator, but just found that the Easy Drive suited him best.
Cedric, on the other hand, went straight to the Easy Drive without trying other systems. “I was dead set on that,” he said confidently. “I didn’t try any other hand controls.”
Funding the Controls
Cedric and Joel’s funding experiences were quite different.
Cedric chose to self-fund the equipment after the NDIS declined to cover the cost because of the continuing deterioration caused by his condition. “It was disappointing, but we decided to just pay for it ourselves,” he says, “my independence was worth the investment.”
Joel was able to secure NDIS funding, though the process was lengthy. “It took nearly 8 months,” he recalls, “and it took some persistent calling to keep that time down.”
The Difference
For Cedric, years of one setback after another was capped by another medically required license suspension just after his hand controls were installed.
When he finally regained his license, it was time to put his modified car to good use, and he was delighted to find he could drive long distances with no trouble.
“As soon as I got my license back, we drove down to Sydney from the Sunshine Coast. I drove down, around 12 hours in total over two days. On the way back, we did the journey in one go with my wife driving two hours, but I was behind the wheel for the rest.”
For Joel, he hasn’t yet tested the Easy Drive over long distances but is impressed by the daily practicality and the long-term joint preservation it offers. “Along with using a transfer board for getting in and out, I’m finding driving far less stressful on my shoulders.”
Final Assessment
For Cedric and Joel, the Fadiel Easy Drive has become a vital assistive technology tool, helping them go about their lives. And both confirm it has lived up to the promise of its name by delivering a practical, easy-to-use and stress-free driving experience.
This Guide covers:
- Initial Assessment
- Understanding the Plan
- Assistive Technology and the NDIS
- State Motoring Authorities
- Assessment Considerations
- Quotes and Evidence
- High-cost Vehicle Modifications
- Complete the NDIS Application
- After Lodgement
- Checklists
Driving Hand Controls Catalogue includes:
- Our complete range of driving hand controls
- For each control, the disabilities and conditions they are suitable for
- A comparison chart outlining the benefits and features of the various types of hand controls
- The history of Fadiel Italiana high level modification driving systems
