It wasn’t the best end to a game of cricket, but independent business owner of the Spark Business Hub Auckland South, Matt Evans had previously experienced having an Achilles tendon snap. He’d done the same to his left Achilles four years before. What made this injury worse was that this was his right foot, which put driving even an automatic car out of the question. With a demanding business to run, Matt thought things were looking pretty bleak.
“It was eight weeks in a moon boot, then extensive rehab,” says Matt. “Looking at the travel support options via ACC, I could submit a claim and put in addresses to and from work and how many times per week.” Problem was, Matt was left wondering how he’d get to and from specialist appointments, visit clients or manage other travel if he was reliant on taxis.
“So, I submitted that support claim, then ACC actually rang me and said, hey, everything’s been approved including your travel support claim. But we may well have a better option for you.”
That option was a hand-control vehicle. ACC had contacted us here at Freedom Mobility prior to contacting Matt, so we called him and set up delivery for the following Thursday. “It wasn’t something I’d ever thought of before,” he says. “So, it took a while to get my head around it, but the very kind gentlemen who brought the car said we’re going out for a drive. After about 20 minutes he said, ‘you’ve got this, no problem’. It’s remarkable how quickly you become used to it.”
For Matt, the difference the car has made is extraordinary. “Simply the ability to get out and do what I really need to do, or want to do, when I want to do it. The key word is in the name, Freedom. That’s exactly what it’s given me. The ability to take my youngest out, to go and visit mates, go and watch the cricket on a Tuesday night, even take the dogs for a walk.” Plus of course it has enabled him to get to and from work, go to meetings and successfully keep his business running.
Another benefit is one that’s easy to overlook from the outside, but that people living with an injury or disability know only too well: mental health and wellbeing. “From a mental health aspect, it’s been amazing,” says Matt. “Because it does take that pressure off. You don’t have to rely on anyone or anything else, you can just jump in the car and go. It’s been an absolute lifesaver and as far as I’m concerned, the name’s on the box: it’s Freedom.” Matt’s story is one we hear time and again, about the remarkable difference a hand-control car can make to people’s freedom and independence. Our range of vehicles has something to suit almost any need, including short-term recovery from something like Achilles tendinitis through to disabilities that prevent driving an ordinary car. So, whether you’re facing the dreaded ‘Killies tendon’ injury or something entirely different, get in touch. And be sure to ask your ACC contact whether a hand-control car would make sense for your circumstances.
