Paraplegic Driving With Portable Hand Controls
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video I explain the many uses for portable hand controls and how to mount them. I also show how to drive with the controls. If you happen to be paralyzed, these will be the cheapest and quickest way to get you back behind the wheel.
These particular hand controls are made by a company called Colours and the are the AZ-1. You can buy them online - just do a Google search!
I’m not paralyzed in any part of my body but I really like your channel and how it helps me and hopefully others understand how day to day life can be for those right angle inclined. If I ever become movement impaired I’m glad there’s people like yourself who can show us that being differently abled doesn’t mean being disabled.
Was shot 10 times with a 45 have a lil nerve damage thank God my feeling in my leg is coming back and I have a amputated right leg so til I learn to walk again and get the driving down I'll be using these anything is POSSIBLE I use to cry because I laid in my hospital bed now I'll be driving 🚗 thank God I'm so grateful 🙏
Hope u get better dude
Wow, 10 times?! What happened?
I've seen all your videos. You make life in a chair tolerable and have changed a lot of my views on my disability. Thank you for sharing so much with us. :)
I used this video to show my family what I wanted to get for my car so I could get back to driving after my accident-
THANK YOU!
I actually don't even use installed hand controls now- it's easier to just use the portable ones. :)
I bought two sets for my cars, they are very easy too install and operate. It too me about 2 too 3 weeks for me too fill 100% comfortable with them, i have my independence back I drive every where with them, driven up too 3.5 hour road trips with no problems, I set it on cruise control. Thank you for the people who came up with these controls.
How do I order one?
@@ghostboy5371 Amazon has them.
Wow love to see it! Don't let anything stop you from living a full life! My grandma recently had a stroke but she's in rehab right now doing AMAZING I'm gonna tell her about this invention.
Glad I found this. Finally got the courage (at 24) to buy some hand controls and learn to drive. Looked intimidating online. Mom and bro give me weird looks about it (seems they were expecting something different)... We'll see how this turns out.
Brittany Young Glad to hear it! Good luck!
Brittany Young How did it go? I am considering buying some myself, but get scared at thought of driving with them.
Ray Hernandez it’s a bit weird at first but overall they are pretty easy to use. The hardest part is getting used to pushing with your hands to brake but I love mine. It gives you more of a sense of independence.
Brittany Young
GO FOR IT YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE DON'T LET ANYTHING STOP YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN AM WITH YOU
In Canada (Quebec) it's required that you have lessons from a CAA (our AAA) instructor, which turned out be worth the money, I learned more than I expected and generally felt better/more confident about the whole experience. Also, I found the urge to brake with your feet goes away after a matter of minutes. I do feel very strongly that everyone in our situation should at least TRY to drive because *it changes the way you think about yourself*. You'll be surprised how "normal" you feel!
My 16yo son just bought a quicstick hand control. And I am excited to see him driving his impreza. ☺️🙏🏻Great vid btw.. thanks for this.:)
Thanks a lot bro, I appreciate you taking the time to make a video. I have permanent controls in my vehicles but I want to buy a new car and thanks to the video I know how easy they are to install and I know I can use them to quickly install on new cars. Thanks again and have a good one!!
Have the same hand controls. Lil trick place them in between your legs. When at a light or drive thru or what not push in the brake and wedge it in front of your seat. I never tried to use them like you do I've always used them between my legs.
Got hit by a drunk driver a couple months back and I’m paralyzed in my right leg from waist down. Should I go ahead and get a set of these or spend the money for a conversion kit to have gas pedal for left foot driving. Thank you for this video it gave me confidence to move forward in life.
It depends on you, if you want to keep fighting, sure
I am a double leg amputee and hope to have my first driving experience using hand controls this week and I can't wait.
Thanks for the video. Mines just came in the mail today WITHOUT instructions...I needed this video badly. Thanks again!
These are the best I've had mine since 2008 && I've been paralyzed since 07...there super easy to use && a heaven send in my case
did u do your drivers test in Illinois?
I live in France and we don’t know about this Great system, I love it. I don’t know if we can use it...
Thanks a lot for the video!
Thank you for sharing this. I was given these hand controls after a friend passed away and I've had hell trying to figure out how to get them to work right. They keep getting...stuck. Well, not stuck, but the metal likes make it harder to slide and it freaks me out to drive on the highway. I'm going to try these out in my fiance's car, hoping having them sitting like this will help.
Thanks k you for all the videos you post. It sure is nice to have an idea on how to do things in a chair. I'm new to a chair, MS and paraplegia from a spinal cord injury.
You are very welcome! Thanks a lot for the feedback! I'm glad people are getting something out of these videos. :)
Thanks so much....I'm waiting on my hand control set from Amazon...you showed me how easy it would be...thanks again for taking the time to make the video
Ok Mr dave
Just ordered mine, so excited! Haven’t been able to drive for a year since they determined that I needed hand controls. Didn’t know these cheaper portable ones existed. Now I’m so happy because I didn’t like the installed ones because it was difficult to drive with my left hand and switch the turn signals on and off. Plus learning whether to push the handle up or down to go and stop was really hard. This one looks sooooo much easier!
I also can't drive bcz of my disability I'm glad I found this 😭where do you buy these? I need to to purchase mine
Can you guys give me some updates on how safe and reliable these have been for you? Thx
My girlfriend is paralyzed and she just started a new job gonna buy this for her I know she’ll love to drive again ❤️🔥
Hey I am now too and I drive with the one that shape like a horizontal bar ! It’s so much easier I’ve tried this my thumb hurt ! Look on Amazon get the side bar and it has a strap that straps on the steering wheel to hold it in place ! Good look ❤️
Thanks a lot, man
I was kinda hesitant to buy this tool because I used to use my right hand to drive my car by a permanent device , but after watching your video and how you were able to drive your car by your right hand .. I decided to buy this device and its already has been shipped to me two days ago .. today is my second day using it and I am happy with it though I feel a little pain in my thumb but I can live with it
I am planning to travel this summer to Salzburg ( Austria ) and rent a car .. hopefully the rental car company won't mind to let me fixing it on there rented car .
thanks again
Hamad
Kuwait
Hamad he I'm glad to hear the control is working for you! It's definitely not the most ideal control to use full time but it works when you need to rent a car or just until you can afford permanent hand controls.
I would really like to know if you got away with it in Austria. I am somewhat doubtful.
Hi
I changed my plan and I went to the Netherlands instead of Austria .. in case of any surprises I've contacted the office of Europcar rental to inform them about the device that I'm going to install on the car and about my disability and they had no problem with that ...the device was more than perfect ... I had no problem using it in and out of Amsterdam .. it was secured and I enjoyed the ride .
very articulated, straight to the point and very descriptive. great job making this video.
thank you for sharing!
Awesome! Glad it helped. Hand controls are probably the best adaptive equipment I own next to a wheelchair. I've used them on so many vehicles. Rentals, loaners, test drives, moving trucks, etc. I think every para should have them even before getting permanent hand controls.
@@ParalyzedLiving Hi Brian, how are you doing? Hope you’re well. Great job of posting this video. Glad you had the hand controls to drive your car. Very nice and portable. Kind regards, from, PaulLaw.
WOW this just saved my career. Thank you!
That's amazing , technology is really come around .
I have used these controls for many years. they are great. the one caveat is you must be careful not to let them get wedged between the peddles and the driver seat. which happened to me once and could have been disastrous.
Thanks so much for the video its great to know that I can still drive. I was shot in 2012 in my T10 I have no feeling from my belly down so this helps me know I don't have to spend the money for the perment ones thanks again keep up the good work
Im here because of Joe Swanson
Same😂😂
Me too.
II PANDA IIV that’s the reason I’m here too
Yeah same
Even me😂
Gracias
My son in law ok what encouraging words can I give him
I like the hand controls on the left it’s actually works easier! Put single knob on steering wheels so you can drive with 1 hand and make turns especially u turns a lot easier! It’s hard to drive with 1 hand without a knob when you gotta make quick turns.
Very Cool, Thank you for showing how easy it is to hook them to the brake & accelerator. Looks like ~$170. Going to mention this to my Wife .. she will Love this cheaper way to make it so i can drive easily instead & she does not need to drive us everywhere all the time.
Yep, they are an extremely convenient thing to have! My wife feels the same...she would much rather I drive if we are going somewhere. Maybe that's because I'm an annoying passenger. lol What can I say? I'm a guy and like to be the driver.
@@ParalyzedLiving Hi Brian, how are you? Hope you’re feeling well. This is very cool, thank you for showing your video of how easy it is to hook your portable hand control to the brake and accelerator. Say hello to your wife for me. Take care Brian and stay safe driving on the roads. Kind regards, from, PaulLaw.
great video. thanks for sharing. I just purchased a set and installed them. they work great.
I've read through these comments and have seen many people planning on using these as a permanent solution for driving. These are meant to be used to test drive cars(which is why I'm buying them), rental cars and other temporary purposes. They make more permanent controls that are attached to the car and therefor aren't so loose and "floppy". These are great for temporary uses but not the safest for a permanent solution. Think about having controls professionally installed on your car if you are going to be using hand controls on a regular basis.
Please do explain or link to the controls you have used, preferred, suggestions...
Я использую такое ручное на постоянно , даже таксую. Уже 3 года езжу и ничего не разу не открутилось . И в любой момент могу переставить на любую другую машину , без посторонней помощи , что очень удобно и здорово. И вообще , как я считаю - оно самое безопасное . Там просто нечему ломаться .
My partner has used these for 26 years. However they loop over the steering wheel with a strap and have left and right controls
Can you show a video on how to modify for right hand use since the manufacturer only makes a left hand.
Thank you so much for the video! I am so relieved to find someone else who just doesn't care for the left-handed controls that my installer/dealer says is "what everyone's going to." I have driven for 50 years (yeah, I'm old) right-handed and I'm trying to adjust to left-handed on our new minivan---it's not working!!!! I'm dangerous!! It's not about learning to drive---it's about UN-learning to drive right-handed, and RE-learning to drive left-handed; it's about re-wiring the brain! I appreciate your information and am subscribing to your channel. Meanwhile, do you know off-hand of any permanent controls that can be mounted (right-handed) without interfering with a dash/console that sticks out? (That's why we were talked into the left-hand control by our dealer.) We're looking for a very short handle, maybe one that makes a right-angle turn rather than a lengthy horizontal lever. Thanks again!
BTW if you buy those specific hand controls and you use them for a decade or so like I have (btw they're like 300 to $400 nowadays) the only thing that wears out is the handgrip. Go to any motorcycle store and buy a set of cruiser sized (1" diameter?) grips. Slide on, slide off. Easy peasy.
Nice, great idea. I have made it but a little bit different.
Oh wow that's amazing does the length of it make the button not hard to push? Sometimes gas pedals take force.
I hope you don’t mind me asking, what was the process like for you when you got your chair? I’m trying to get my neurologist to help me get one. I have a rare muscular disease which has crippled my legs so I was just wondering. Love your videos! They’ve helped me learn a lot about using a chair.
I'm recently having trouble driving due to neuropathy and have looked at different types of controls online. Most of them you need training and be tested for a special license to use them. Do these portable ones require any special professional training to use them?
I have a similar question: thank you for posting this !
I guess I will finally try the portable hand controls.Ive been driving with a cane the last 6 years
man that's kewl! i had no idea they were making these!
Oh wow, that’s pretty neat. Is it possible to get one with a locking mechanism that holds the brake because my emergency brake is an additional petal.
Hello Brian:
Long time follower, first time poster:
I am an L4 L5 incomplete: Is it necessary to go through a driving school and have your license changed to use hand controls or can you just start using them as soon as you’re comfortable to drive with them?
I just ordered a pair from freedom staff . I have neuropathy from chemo . For 2 years I was ok, but things have changed . Do you think this was a good purchase and could you let me know what is the best spinner wheel to buy. Freedom Staff does come with a spinner but all the reviews share it's awful. Thank you fort your video and any suggestions would be appreciated!
This video was very helpful.
Wow if i will live in canada w my sister i want to try to drive im a polio victim i never seen a disabled knows to drive that's why its amaze me alot
Yes, you could easily drive with these controls. They are very helpful.
Very nice , I have to consider buying one.
is it hard or tiring pushing the thumb to accelerate
That's great. In Germany you are not allowed to drive this way. You have to install a knob in the steering wheel and
hand controller for indicators and the other functions on the steering wheel. That makes it very expensive.
I ask because I got injured a long time ago (15 years) and up until 2021, I had a little bit of function in my right leg and I was able to drive (and walk with crutches with AFOs which I did not need to drive.)
I lost the little bit of remaining function in my right leg back in 2021, and I have been using hand controls since then. (full-time: I only used to use those as needed)
I have not had to make any alterations to my license yet, but I just wanted to know if you had to complete any sort of specialized training or get a special endorsement on your license. So far I haven’t, but I want to be prepared should it change
Driving long distance, wouldn't your thumb on the gas peddle get tired? By the way, where can l get this portable hand control?
It does get a little tired but I use cruise control on the highway so it's a non-issue.
OK great. thanks. I will do some research to see if the local places in my area sells them.
I would like to know what model of portable hand co trips you used in this video. Everything I find is for the hand controls with your left hand rather than your right. I prefer the way it is in the video. I cannot run the throttle and brake with my left hand while maintaining balance and solid positioning is the vehicle. If you get the chance or if anybody on here happens to know what model or version they are, I would greatly appreciate the information, thanks again. Love the channel, all the helpful and useful videos you provide. Amazing.
Can you lock this in ? and basically make it on a cruise control ?
That's something that wouldn't be allowed in Germany. You have to have permanent hand controls, and then get the car checked and if the necessary adjustments are approved you get a license for a handicapped accessible vehicle (not sure if that's the correct term here) which is always to be carried with the cars registration papers. This is done for safety and insurance concerns. So if there is ever an accident, it may help to rule out unlicensed hand controls as the reason for the accident.
One additional thing is required here if you are steering one handed. As you are supposed to have at all times one hand on the steering wheel, it is mandatory to install one of those knobs on the steering wheel with which you can turn the wheel all the way around without ever to have to let go to adjust you grip. This goes also for persons with temporary hand or arm injuries who want to drive one handed while the injury heals. Fortunately you don't have to get approval for the installed knob.
There is of course also a drivers test mandatory and an entry on ones drivers licence is made stating the kind of vehicle you can drive and what ever else is required to drive a vehicle, like corrective lenses.
By the way, in Germany a doctor can prescribe a lot of things, but not hand controls for a car. He can at most give a statement that you are healthy enough to handle those and he might privately recommend them, but in order to get a vehicle ready... start above. ;)
you’re a lifesaver. where do you buy? you should post a link and get referral money.
can you flip it so the gas is the handle? and the break is the knob? thanks
Really insightful. Thank you!
To be honest that looks pretty cool.
Yes I'm looking at getting that type of controls. Does your thumb get tired using the gas?
Tell me what brand is featured in your video? I need to get me some. Thanks for the great video, glad you found something that helps you remaining driving.
Hi Janet! The details are in the description
Not to mention you get to look cool with one hand on the steering wheel
How can i buy this product in India
Can you drive a stick shift like this? Just a curious question. I travel a lot and there are countries where automatic cars are either hard to find or much more expensive To rent
Please let me know how often you need to retighten the clamps on the pedals.
just wondering how would you indicate , using wiper etc ? same question for your other driving video. Thanks
0pal86 I can still operate the controls with my left hand or I can let go of the control for a moment to turn the wipers on. It's not hard once you get comfortable with using the controls.
My one buddy owns a Porsche 911, Lamborghini gallardo and a mercedes black series and uses these controls in each of them. If he can control that kinda horse power with them I have faith they will be good enough for anybody.
Oh wow I did not know they made portable hand controls could you put a link where you got them at????
Where do you buy this one? All I have seen the handles are so different and this seems to be very comfortable and easy to use. Any link or website?
+Angela Nowbahar Just look up Colours AZ-1 hand controls.
Recently decided that it is too dangerous to drive with weakness in my hip and feet. Can you tell me with this set of Hand Controls, do you have trouble parallel park?
One more question I am really sorry do you need any licecens for it? Just put it in and go?? Thanks !!
Im just so fascinated by this
While I have a right leg amputation the hand controls are much easier and safer then a left foot accelerator. The base is too clumsy and dangerous trying to brake properly due to the boxy cover of the left hand accelerator.
Love this guy!
God bless you sir 🙏🏽
Hey I got a set of the hand controls and trying to learn how to drive with them and I have a hard time with turning with one hand and keeping a consistent speed, and was wondering if u could make a video concerning turning (hand placement) and using gas accurately
Hey do u have to operate this device with the thumb are you can you change it to the other side where you can just push up and down??
Thank you so much the videos...please let me know that, where can i get these controls?
Vinod Kumar Check the video description for the name of the controls and google them. They are fairly easy to find.
Have you used different ones before?? I am looking to see which one is better. Thank you
I think these Colours versions are the best portable controls. Although I haven’t used others, I’ve seen how they are built in comparison and these are more robust.
Thank you so much!!
is the throttle locked till you hit brake orr??
Hi. One question, can sticks be adjusted in length? Thank you very much. Excellent video and channel.
Yes, the length is adjustable.
Paralyzed Living Thanks. :)
Just wondering, because I'm finally seriously starting the learning to drive process, is it easy to use the other hand functions with this (signaling, windshield wipers/lights, etc)? Also, I've looked up this product and it said it was left-hand controlled. Did you adapt yours to be right-hand or were they originally that way?
Hi Carly, I do not have any problems using the other functions of the car while driving but it can be a challenge to do things like change the radio or grab a bottle of water out of the cup holder. I typically do these when I have enough space to let go of the control and coast or when I am at a traffic light. You are correct, these controls are made to be used with the left hand but I use them with my right because it's more comfortable and I feel like I have more control. They didn't need to be modified to do this.
Paralyzed Living Ok thank you so much! I think this would be the best tool to start the driving process until I get my own-own car, so I can learn to drive in multiple cars. Glad to know they can be used with the right hand! Seems a lot more comfortable and safer actually. And once I began looking into hand controls I knew eating/drinking in the car and changing the radio on the dashboard would be out of the question haha. Definitely going to be looking into getting these!
What is the name of those hand controls and where did you get them? Thanks for your time.
Mike
Sorry if I'm being remedial, but I couldn't tell: when you're driving do you have to keep pushing forward? Or is it similar to using your foot on the accelerator and once you're at your speed you just maintain the pressure? I drive in stop and go on the expressway to work and home. Is it difficult when you have to brake suddenly? Thank you.
Hi! It's rather cool! How much is this hand control? And would you please give me the contacts of manufacturing company? Thanks bro)
Hello, I am new to your channel and just want you to know that your thorough descriptions on your video is appreciated. The reason I started watching is because my father is suffering with numbness of his legs due to an old back injury. He can't feel his feet so they get hung up in the pedals. We are looking at installing portable hand controls in his car. Do you recommend a certain brand?
+sheephearder100 Sorry to hear about your dad. These portable controls are called Colours AZ-1. They work well.
I am going to order me a pair, like you said the hand control that they install on the left hand side definitely do not feel right, I don't like them.
Thanks for the video. ...
What's the name brand you are using in this video I would like to get a set thank you
Where can I get it in East Africa
Hi I'm now looking at this video here. I'm disabled, I live Trinidad. I saw similar equipments like this on Amazon but it's kind of pricey to ship to my country. They don't sell these things in Trinidad. I really don't know why. So my question for you is that is it advisable to make it? Thanks
Where to buy these kit in India.
Very nice. My only question is if those are the AZ-1 PORTABLE HAND CONTROLS ?
Leo Hernandez Yes, they are.
tank you for your video,I have question I live in NY and I used to drive a taxi for my weeknes I don't drive anymore,if I like to drive regular car with this hand control do I have to change my DMV license I mean need to put restriction?
+Ahil Bhuiyan Yes you are supposed to get restrictions added to your license. For me I am required to use a hand control with a spinner knob (which I dont use) and can only have an automatic transmission.
Can you use there in Rv motorhome i loss my legs i want get out and camp again ???
Is there much resistance in the thumb button to press the gas/acceleration?
Michael surprisingly not at all. I really don’t get too fatigued using it but I do tend to opt for using cruise control on the highway since it’s easier.
@@ParalyzedLiving thanks for the info, I'm actually interested in it for racing video games to hook up to the pedals, but if it doesn't work well, I can always use for car.
I'm considering something like this because my RA pain in my feet make it impossible to push the pedals. That being said, my hands are more usable but it looks like you really have to stretch out that thumb a lot to work it. Is that adjustable?
Theresa Higby Yes, this may be a good option for you. Yes, the controls are adjustable. I have had other people question if they make your hand tired - not really. It doesn't take very much pressure to accelerate.
Hello. Very good video. I wanted to do an emergency consultation.
I long to adapt to driving my car and thought put permanent hand controls in my car ; but after watching this video I thought it might be better to use portable hand controls as they give me the ability to handle any car with automatic transmission in the event of having to rent one without if mine is broken or if I decide to buy another it would to re- adapt to the risk that you can not make the same adaptation to the new car. Besides avoiding timeouts while using it right away because it could adapt and the high price (here in Argentina adaptations for disabled cars are very expensive )
My question is : is it worth it to always use the portable hand control or should I put in my car a permanent one ?
For your video , the notebook looks very comfortable control and now I doubt whether it is worth continuing to install one in my car , so I would be interested your advice.
Thank you very much .
Hi Fernando! I would personally suggest you get permanent hand controls in your main car eventually but if cost is a factor, these portable hand controls will be a good temporary solution. These controls will come in handy in the future if you ever need to drive another car so they are a good investment. The cost of hand controls in the US is very high too.
Thank you very much for your answer, I fur handy. Based on your answer I think I'll trnrt both. Permanent controls to my car and then buy a portable emergency controls.
Good luck and thanks again.
Paralyzed Living does your menox hand controls ever stick/
Can this be changed to left side as well like sometimes if I wanna use left sometimes if I wanna use right?
Rest them in the middle of your legs. I've got the same ones. It's the easiest