I have been using a certain type of hand control in my vehicles now for around twelve years and I thought I would pass it on your way. The Portable Hand Controls III (PHC), from McSquared Designs, has proven their weight in gold! Take a look for yourself at www.wheelability.com.

When I was first injured the therapists led me in the direction of a driver’s rehab instructor whose job was to get me back behind the wheel of a car. After many hours of slow transfers in and out of the driver’s seat and time spent on the road getting used to driving with my hands now, they began to show me where to get the equipment for my own vehicle.

I found a company near me to do the installation, but they really only had one option for the equipment. A set of hard-mounted hand controls custom made for my vehicle and bolted down. The price installed was right around $1500.00. Here in lies two of my complaints -- not only are the controls only useable in one vehicle, but the cost is astronomical. I had hoped there was something better out there for me.

One day while flipping thru a Sports N’ Spokes magazine I spied on an ad for PHC III’s and quickly called to order them.

Once they were delivered, I went out to my truck and proceeded to try and figure these things out. To my surprise, they were so easy to install all by myself. In minutes I was out terrorizing the town’s folk. I had finally gotten the perfect set of hand controls to put in whatever I wanted, whenever I needed.

As I went on I found more and more practical uses for these wondrous bits of metal. I was now able to drive basically any vehicle with an automatic gear box(transmission). I was able to go and test drive vehicles, and even drive my friend’s vehicles home if they had too much to drink some night. Then as I began to travel more and more I found yet another use for them. I travelled around the States and I was able to get a rental car at a minutes notice. As most people know you have to usually call a month in advance to reserve a vehicle fitted with hand controls -- or if you need multiple vehicles fitted for an event of some kind, good luck.

Sometimes you don’t have that much notice to give so I opted to bring mine along for the ride. The hand controls themselves fit in my carry on bag and I go to my rental car. I was able to put them on with ease, get them adjusted and put me on the pavement once again in a new city.

Like I said before, these controls are worth their weight in gold! My first two sets priced in and around $300 plus shipping. I recently called the company to order a new set as the foam handles have worn out. I was passed around quite a bit from person to person calling multiple different numbers with no real answers. I finally found someone with answers and was given a new price of $380 plus shipping with many different payment options, but not by insurance.

I guess times change. The PHC IIIs are still the same great product if you are willing to chase them down. I am still using my second pair now and will get another set soon…Hopefully! I just hope the organization and customer service has gotten better in the last year.