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My Goal
*Goal updated on May 1, 2008My goal is to raise $20,000 and be the proud owner and first time driver of a Honda Element! When I saw that the Element was being modified for a disabled person, I was so excited. It brought back that desire to want to drive. I had thought about it for a long time, but it was seeing this vehicle that finally made me really want it. I felt like I could be disabled, but still have a neat vehicle and not get stuck in a big ole van for the rest of my life! It's empowering and I am excited to share this experience as I have it! Here are just a few pics of the vehicle all of you will be helping me to buy! I will be having the ramp put on the driver's side though so I can actually drive it myself! **Click on pictures to see full size image.
These are pics of me IN a modified E. Yes I look tiny huh! At least I can see over the dash! lol
Final Adjustment On Steering Device - Feb, 2006 This is the steering device that we have found to work best. You see that now I am using a 7 inch wheel. This made the steering effort closer to zero and also changed how many revolutions I had to turn the wheel for regular turns. Now to max out the tires in either direction, it is 4-4.5 turns. A regular turn is 1.5-2 turns. This makes less work for me. Next, you notice the handle I am using! This has made all the difference in the world. The handle is on a tight spring base. This allows the handle to tilt inward if it becomes out of my range. I now have a nice base to set my hand within as well. I had to go to Houston to have this 'funky contraption' made, but it works! The gas/break system is the same as pictured below.
First Attempt On Steering Device - Aug, 2005
 First and second pic shows the controls the best. In my right hand is a steering wheel. It is 5 in and has a little knob that I hold onto for gripping purposes. The little holes are also there for some support if I need it. To max out the tires in either direction is about 5-6 complete turns. Just to turn normal is 2.5-3 turns, then I have to do the same the opposite way in order to recover the wheel and get my tires straight again. - In my left hand is the dual control for gas and break. On the right, under my index finger is the gas, and on the left where my middle finger is, is the break! - Then the little button controls on the left and right sides control the ignition, gears, lights, blinkers, wipers, all that jazz!  This last pic just shows how it sets in reference to me!! *And to clarify I was in a VAN this time around.. not an E! I have to train on this van before they can approve modifying an E for me!*
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