Carsten and I were talking last night about possible career options for himself as he gets older.
One question he was, Can I be a truck driver?
By that he doesn't mean F-truck or a RAM etc he means Mack, Kenworth type of trucks.
We did a quick Google search and found a couple of things but nothing too detailed just a couple of pictures of a guy in a wheelchair getting into his prime mover.
So, to that end; is anyone aware of any stories or resources of paraplegic truck drivers? Even other physical disabilities might raise ideas and possibilities in him.
Hey Nathan and Carsten, This guy, Andrew Meddings, used to post occasionally on Apparelyzed. He has 8 videos on Youtube and is an Australian. Who knows? Maybe he is close enough you can look him up. I believe he owned his pool business before he became a para, then adapted. Certainly being the owner had to make it easy to get approval for adaptations.
Carsten and I were talking last night about possible career options for himself as he gets older.
One question he was, Can I be a truck driver?
By that he doesn't mean F-truck or a RAM etc he means Mack, Kenworth type of trucks.
We did a quick Google search and found a couple of things but nothing too detailed just a couple of pictures of a guy in a wheelchair getting into his prime mover.
So, to that end; is anyone aware of any stories or resources of paraplegic truck drivers? Even other physical disabilities might raise ideas and possibilities in him.
I know I'm a C5/6 walker but I still have limitations and issues.....Ive got my truck licence, I used to have one before my accident and its something I didnt want to relinquish even though I dont use it any longer (who knows. I may want to use it one day lol). I have to see a neurologist every year who has to write a letter to the Licencing board over here in Australia to say that I am capable of safely driving a truck.
On a funny note, I had a colonoscopy done yesterday and when I had my pre interview done with the anaesthetist, she asked me why I have to see a neurologist each year, when i told her it was to keep my truck licence, she laughed then looked at me and said, "wait, you're serious, arent you?"
I know I'm a C5/6 walker but I still have limitations and issues.....Ive got my truck licence, I used to have one before my accident and its something I didnt want to relinquish even though I dont use it any longer (who knows. I may want to use it one day lol). I have to see a neurologist every year who has to write a letter to the Licencing board over here in Australia to say that I am capable of safely driving a truck.
On a funny note, I had a colonoscopy done yesterday and when I had my pre interview done with the anaesthetist, she asked me why I have to see a neurologist each year, when i told her it was to keep my truck licence, she laughed then looked at me and said, "wait, you're serious, arent you?"
Now that's interesting! I have seen some stuff on Americans and Europeans but not Australians. I've sent an Email to Spinal life (primary care organisation) to see what they have to say on the matter, I am sure there must have been someone even if someone with a camper that requires a prime mover to move about the country side.
I know I'm a C5/6 walker but I still have limitations and issues.....Ive got my truck licence, I used to have one before my accident and its something I didnt want to relinquish even though I dont use it any longer (who knows. I may want to use it one day lol). I have to see a neurologist every year who has to write a letter to the Licencing board over here in Australia to say that I am capable of safely driving a truck.
On a funny note, I had a colonoscopy done yesterday and when I had my pre interview done with the anaesthetist, she asked me why I have to see a neurologist each year, when i told her it was to keep my truck licence, she laughed then looked at me and said, "wait, you're serious, arent you?"
Now that's interesting! I have seen some stuff on Americans and Europeans but not Australians. I've sent an Email to Spinal life (primary care organisation) to see what they have to say on the matter, I am sure there must have been someone even if someone with a camper that requires a prime mover to move about the country side.
I googled that Andrew Meddings in the youtube video Tetra posted and he's in Sydney....he would probably have some good advice about getting a truck licence also.
I kept me cdl and can drive a semi with a manual transmission. I'm incomplete but refuse to accept it. Bought a tractor trailer for my 28 year old son to drive and I occasionally drive it to the dealer for repairs and such.
I kept me cdl and can drive a semi with a manual transmission. I'm incomplete but refuse to accept it. Bought a tractor trailer for my 28 year old son to drive and I occasionally drive it to the dealer for repairs and such.
When you say manual transmission, do you mean road ranger/crash box or synchro?
Carsten and I were talking last night about possible career options for himself as he gets older.
One question he was, Can I be a truck driver?
By that he doesn't mean F-truck or a RAM etc he means Mack, Kenworth type of trucks.
We did a quick Google search and found a couple of things but nothing too detailed just a couple of pictures of a guy in a wheelchair getting into his prime mover.
So, to that end; is anyone aware of any stories or resources of paraplegic truck drivers? Even other physical disabilities might raise ideas and possibilities in him.
Driving a truck is quiet easy . Being a professional truck driver requires careful selection of work and planning . I’ve travelled apx 3.5 million kms in the last 18years and had 4 different trucks . It is very satisfying career and I have seen every part of this great country . Happy to show you around the truck . Cheers Andrew
I know I'm a C5/6 walker but I still have limitations and issues.....Ive got my truck licence, I used to have one before my accident and its something I didnt want to relinquish even though I dont use it any longer (who knows. I may want to use it one day lol). I have to see a neurologist every year who has to write a letter to the Licencing board over here in Australia to say that I am capable of safely driving a truck.
On a funny note, I had a colonoscopy done yesterday and when I had my pre interview done with the anaesthetist, she asked me why I have to see a neurologist each year, when i told her it was to keep my truck licence, she laughed then looked at me and said, "wait, you're serious, arent you?"
Now that's interesting! I have seen some stuff on Americans and Europeans but not Australians. I've sent an Email to Spinal life (primary care organisation) to see what they have to say on the matter, I am sure there must have been someone even if someone with a camper that requires a prime mover to move about the country side.
Next xt time you get the medical certificate get your doctor to tick the box stating annual medical is not required . I did that 17 years ago and havnt had one since .
Tell me it impossible and I will show you how it's done
Eaton super 10. So I would compare it to my 13 speed road ranger I had in my 93 IH Eagle. Just bob tailed a 1998 freightliner classic with a 13 speed Saturday.
Now that's interesting! I have seen some stuff on Americans and Europeans but not Australians. I've sent an Email to Spinal life (primary care organisation) to see what they have to say on the matter, I am sure there must have been someone even if someone with a camper that requires a prime mover to move about the country side.
Next xt time you get the medical certificate get your doctor to tick the box stating annual medical is not required . I did that 17 years ago and havnt had one since .
Do you have your disabled parking permit as well as your truck licence? When I had just had my drivers licence i didnt have to have a checkup but since I want to keep my truck licence AND parking permit, thats why I do it each year, my GP isnt qualified to answer all the questions on the form, hence why I see my neurologist.... When I get my next renewal, I'll look for that box and point it out to my neurologist.....she has also said to me that she doesnt see the point in me coming back each year
Next xt time you get the medical certificate get your doctor to tick the box stating annual medical is not required . I did that 17 years ago and havnt had one since .
Do you have your disabled parking permit as well as your truck licence? When I had just had my drivers licence i didnt have to have a checkup but since I want to keep my truck licence AND parking permit, thats why I do it each year, my GP isnt qualified to answer all the questions on the form, hence why I see my neurologist.... When I get my next renewal, I'll look for that box and point it out to my neurologist.....she has also said to me that she doesnt see the point in me coming back each year
I got one for the first time about 14 months ago . They did try with the annual medical thing but I had a big argument with them . They ended up ringing up my gp and then everything was back to normal .