Artificial grass has its plus points. But the way it can disguise hazards did Holly Adams no favours, stepping off a friend’s porch into a hidden hole. A hand-control car from Freedom Mobility came to her rescue.
Holly Adams had not the slightest warning she was going to step into a world of pain. Putting her foot onto the artificial grass as she stepped off the stairs from her friend’s house, her foot slipping into a hole underneath, she immediately knew she had done some excruciating damage.
Sure enough, at the hospital they diagnosed a fractured ankle, and the conversation quickly turned to the likes of moonboots, broken ankle recovery time and how to get around. Luckily, Holly used to work for our sister company, Vehicle Adaptions in Christchurch who modify cars for more permanent injuries and conditions. So she knew about hand-control rental vehicles and that ACC help might possibly be available. “I already had an ACC account, so I knew to look on it to see what support I could get,” says Holly. “I could see that a rental vehicle was an option, and that the likes of Freedom Mobility could hire one out. The process was actually quite easy and I had a car within a week.”
Just as well. Holly lives in rural Methven and, just before the car was delivered, she got her cast wet in the shower and had to get to hospital in Christchurch. There are no local taxi services, the nearest being Ashburton, and the chance of a long-distance Uber was always going to be next to nil. The trip cost her $300 each way. “I’ve since had to go back and I have another appointment in three weeks,” she says. “So the car has been not only a life saver but a massive money saver too. Like an alternative Uber.”
Initially, Holly was given a knee scooter. But a chronic back-pain problem meant she struggled with the lop-sided weight distribution. Thankfully, ACC provided a wheelchair so she could get around more easily. Combined with the hand-control car, it means she will easily be able to get to the grocery store as well as her regular weekly appointments some 20 minutes away. “I’m pretty sure there will be future physio appointments as well,” adds Holly.
Holly is very pleased with the service she received, describing her experience with Freedom Mobility as seamless. “Getting the vehicle was super quick, and Ange [FM driving instructor and all-round good egg] was great,” she says. “She was calming and encouraging. No special licence or anything required. It only took 20 minutes to get the hang of driving the vehicle. It’s super easy and so great to be able to get to appointments.” Holly’s also looking forward to getting out and about more in the coming weeks.
Holly’s advice for others in a similar situation is to talk to ACC and find out all the supports that are available to you: wheelchairs, knee scooters, home help and cars. “The ACC app is great for this,” she says. Any other words of advice? “Think ahead about fuelling the vehicle. It’s not always easy to navigate, especially if it’s not a pay-at-the-pump petrol station.”
If you’re daunted by the prospect of an ankle injury like Holly’s, maybe even thinking about the challenge of arranging rural transport, there’s a positive lesson in Holly’s story. Between ACC and Freedom Mobility, we’re used to giving people back their freedom and independence. Be sure to talk to ACC about the option of a hand-control rental vehicle for your needs.
Further Resources
Got a leg injury? Check out our top tips for recovering from a Leg Injury at home.
Browse our range of Hand Control Vehicles
Not sure what a hand control car is? Check out video resources page with useful videos on what a hand control car looks like and how to drive one.
Read Sam’s story about getting mobile after a broken leg.
Read Ange’s story about Driving with a Shoulder Injury.
Read Virginia’s story about Driving after Knee Surgery.
Find out more about Driving Lessons with the Freedom Mobility Driving Instructors
