When More FM Breakfast Club host Lana Searle broke her ankle, the injury did more than sideline her from her usual routine. For four weeks, she couldn’t drive at all, suddenly dependent on other people just to get to work, run errands and keep her life moving.
For most of us, that kind of temporary independence loss is frustrating enough. For someone with an early morning radio show to get to, it’s a genuine problem.
A Car Called Ruth
Enter Freedom Mobility, and a fully adapted, hand control automatic that Lana has since nicknamed “Ruth.” Funded through ACC while her ankle healed, the car let Lana get back behind the wheel and back to her normal life within days, not weeks.
So how does a hand control car actually work?
- Acceleration and braking are controlled entirely by hand, with radial controls. Push forward to brake, downwards to accelerate.
- Steering is managed with a spinner knob fitted to the wheel, letting Lana turn easily with one hand while the other operates the lever.
- Indicators are built right into the hand control itself, so she never has to take a hand off the controls to signal a turn.
No feet required. Just a different way of driving that gave Lana her routine back.
From the Car Park to the Airwaves
Lana didn’t keep the experience to herself. She brought her More FM co-host Simon along for a test drive around the car park, an outing that turned into one of the more entertaining moments the Breakfast Club has shared with listeners recently, and gave Simon a genuine appreciation for just how capable hand controls really are.
It’s exactly the kind of story we love being part of at Freedom Mobility. Not just getting someone from A to B, but getting them back to doing what they love, on their own terms, while they recover.
Injured and Off the Road? You’ve Got Options
Lana’s situation is more common than people think. A broken ankle, a leg injury, or any temporary mobility setback can leave you unable to drive for weeks, sometimes months, right in the middle of ordinary life still needing to happen.
If you’re covered by ACC, funding support may be available for a modified rental vehicle while you recover, just like Lana’s. Freedom Mobility specialises in accessible vehicle hire and modified driving solutions across New Zealand, whether your situation is short term or long term.
Get in touch with our team to find out what’s possible for your situation.
See more videos and Lana’s podcasts at the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1580912910201923
https://www.facebook.com/freedommobilityNZ/videos/1089497087066985/
