Car Shopping with a Wheelchair: Host, Monica Michelle

Invisible Not Broken - Chronic Illness Podcast Network

Note: This is my opinion only. I have Ehlers-Danlos, POTS, MCAD, and Fibromyalgia.

If you just want a quick answer: Subaru Outback 2023

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the new series: Disabled Tech Reviews

The list of “special” and “luxury” items are not so for those of us in chronic pain. I have a budget that for my personal sit-in gets laughed out of existence.

The general list used to be:

Safety

MPG

Enough space for kids

A CD player

Ah, the simple life that at the time I thought was untenable. Now with Ehlers dances so advanced I must at the very least have my power wheelchair available I have found sedans are just crossed off the list. They might have the ability with a master’s thesis in Jenga to be able to fit the wheelchair but even if this was possible my cane will not fit as well in case I have a wild flight of optimism that I might be able to walk. Those of you in the know please feel free to roll your eyes or laugh the knowing laugh of those of us who will absolutely have the cause of death written optimism she knew better but thought she could anyway.

Ok so even without the wheelchair I might have the body of a middle age woman but my ligaments are more that fossilized posits not you found at the bottom of a bag covered in debris. What I am saying is sedans are low to the ground. Getting in and out of them is my Everest.

So sedans and sports cars are out. Minivans while intriguing do not have the space without a massive amount of engineering. Trucks! I LOVE trucks I have wanted one my entire life but the securing in the bed and walking around let’s just say I was too worn out after a quick try to even think of driving. But the electric trucks have frunks! Ah yes, the frunk. I LOVE the lightning. The F150 is the car I dream of as I remember the boys in high school dreamed of having a Lamborghini, and for the cost, it is just as likely I will ever own one. If you can afford it please let me know how amazing it is as a wheelchair user. I promise no dark jealous thoughts will be cast your way only slightly simmering resentment.

So an SUV it is. This should not have been limiting but let me give you my list if I am ever to consider driving:

Safety

Space for wheelchair, child, canes, GIANT BEASTIE wolf, a small but active hamster disguised as a pug, and groceries

A door that opens wide enough I do not have to pivot

Blind spot

AI to help me stop if my leg seizes and lane departure warning. Basically, any safety feature that will save me if my body decides to just not (this is where luxury gets redefined. I have no issue paying extra for sunroofs, seat material, or sound systems. These are in fact LUXURY. Back in the day, Volvo invented a 3-point seat belt. It saves lives. They gave the plans away. For safety. The ability to survive should not be a luxury. This is my hill it has a pre-dug grave and a soap box I am not moving from it.)

This started with plug-ins or PHEV there were 3 on the market I wanted none to exist in real life despite the company’s best advertising efforts.

Thank you all. We probably won’t be on the cutting edge of any tech but we will do our best to review what we have to make our lives as autonomous as possible from kids care (fluff feather and human) to feeding yourself, to self-care apps, to VR, to the tech we use to run Invisible Not Broken. Please feel free to reach out.

Head over to www.invisiblenotbroken.com for more podcasts and blogs about life while disabled.

Remember to Be Kind. Be Gentle. And of course, be a Bad Ass.

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