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CHAPTER 34
Weather-protected motor propelled tricycles
Commensurate with the steadily increasing numbers of employable paraplegics, the
construction of all-weather protected motorized tricycles has become imperative. Actually,
in the course of the last 20 years, considerable improvements have been made in the
design of this means of transport, which is still widely issued for paralysed people under
the National Health Service. The most modern power controlled tricycle issued for
paraplegics under the N.H.S. are: Model 70 of the Ministry of Health's handbook,
manufactured by Invacar Ltd, Thundersley, Essex, and A.C. Ltd, Thames Ditton. This
waterproofed vehicle is automatic and provided with a wide sliding door on either side
to allow easy access. It can be driven by paraplegics of any level but only by incomplete
cervical lesions with good equilibrium, good function of triceps, wrist extensors and long
flexors of the fingers. The disadvantage of this conveyance is the inability to carry pas
sengers, and the paraplegic driver is deprived of companionship. Naturally, the paraplegic
has to undergo tuition in the use of the motorized tricycle, which is provided at the
expense of the N.H.S. by the British School of Motoring. At the end of the training
course, the patient has to pass a driving test, as applies to car drivers, before being
endtied to use the vehicle in traffic, and the regulations of the road apply to him just as
much as to car drivers. The paraplegic must remember that a motorized three-wheeler
is not a racing car, and he is strongly advised to remain always below the allowed maximum
speed.
MOTOR CARS
This naturally represents the ideal form of transport for both paraplegics and tetraplegics.
In Great Britain, Canada and U.S.A. hand-controlled motor cars were granted by the
state already in the 'forties to paralysed and other severely disabled ex-service pensioners.
Civilian paraplegics and tetraplegics were not entitled to a free issue of motor cars under
the N.H.S. However, the most recent regulation of the Department of Health and Social
Security in Great Britain makes a private car allowance also for paraplegic and tetraplegic
civilians and other severely disabled persons. The annual allowance is £100 paid quar
terly in advance. No additional allowance is made towards the purchase or modification
of a car. The car must be registered and insured in the applicant's name and he must
possess a full driving licence. Recipients are exempted from payment of vehicle excise
duty. A hospital consultant's recommendation is necessary for the private car allowance
as it is necessary for obtaining a powered three-wheeled vehicle. Cars are not supplied
under the N.H.S. as a general rule, but may be supplied in place of a three-wheeler,
amongst other disabled persons, to double amputees or defects of the locomotor system
such as the spinal paralysed or persons whose walking ability is sufficiently restricted
to bring them in the above categories, but are not employed, may be provided with a
vehicle to enable them to carry out the duties of a household including shopping. Cars
instead of powered three-wheelers can be supplied in the following circumstances:
i jointly for two such persons who are relatives and who live in the same household,
provided that one at least will be able to drive;
