This Scares Me 

I'll start with a story. When I was on the high school debate team, our assistant coach Tom had a genetic neurological condition (and to be honest I don't remember the specific one) that rendered him unable to use his legs. He was a great coach, and got around independently. He had a special car with a motorcycle grip for steering and braking on the left side, and a suicide ball on the steering wheel to make it easier to steer with his right hand. He was actually an excellent driver (I rode with him on many occasions to tournaments), even if he did have a lead hand.

Then there is this woman featured in an article in last Sunday's Journal:

But the two words take on a different meaning for me when I meet Michelle Kearney, a courageous 37-year-old West Allis woman born without arms or legs.
...
Last month her wheelchair rolled across a stage at Lambeau Field, where she was selected first runner-up in the Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin Pageant.

On this night she rolls up to the Journal Sentinel in her specially equipped 2002 Dodge Caravan, which she's been driving legally for about a year.
...
Michelle's driving her high-tech van across the Sixth Street Viaduct. The steering wheel turns as we enter the round-about but there aren't any hands holding it.

Her right shoulder fits into a small cup attached to a joystick, with which she steers and applies the gas and brakes. A small electronic screen fastened to a pole in the van rests just below her jaw. The screen has icons for 36 functions, including park and reverse.

She works the screen with a pen she holds in her mouth. Function buttons on the left door panel, she works with her left shoulder.

I don't mean to sound insensitive... but are you kidding me?! States and cities are outlawing cell phones because they are afraid they are too much a distraction, but this woman is driving around steering with her shoulder?! We have states that are trying to force the elderly to have to take road tests more often to show that they still have the reaction time to drive... how good is her reaction time? If a child runs into the middle of the road... can she swerve out of the way... or brake in time?

I understand that this woman has overcome a lot. The story is amazing to read... especially the different things she has managed to do in her life. It is inspirational really. But when I saw that she goes down the 6th St. Viaduct... which is really close to where I work... I'm sorry... I don't think so. Take away the keys.

In fact... I'd be willing to start a fund if people are interested to get this woman some sort of taxi service to transport her to and from work every day if that's what it will take to get her off the road. This frankly just seems dangerous.

Update: I was thinking on my way to work this morning as I kept an eye out for her van in certain fear for my life... how much does her insurance cost? Even more importantly... does her insurance company even know? Would she be under any obligation to share that information with an insurance company? Would they be allowed to deny her coverage or modify her rate based on her disability?