Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) Support Group
Achondroplasia is a type of genetic disorder that is a common cause of dwarfism. Only one copy of the gene needs to be present for the disorder to occur. People with achondroplasia have one normal copy of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene and one mutant copy. Discuss everything from relationships to lifestyle challenges.
I hope you don't mind me joining the community, as I don't actually suffer from Achondroplasia or know anyone who does, but I have a gf that has a lot of similar everyday challenges. (I couldn't actually find another forum for short people.)She's 4'11'', and she has trouble seeing over the dash and reaching the pedals on every car we've been looking at.Every time she tries to ask a question on answers.yahoo or another website, she just gets laughed at.
She found a website for pedal extenders, but now she needs something to sit on.Does anyone have any products/websites/companies they could recommend so that she can drive a car? Just about ANY recommendations for other driving accommodations would be appreciated as she feels really unsafe about driving.When she drives my Honda Civic, she has to move up really close to the wheel, and she's scared of that because it's dangerous to be within 10" of the air bag.She needs something to sit on that can fix the angle she is forced to sit at now.It makes her tilt back in a way that she can't see comfortably ahead and has to estimate her distance from others when in traffic, stopping and parking.
She found a website for pedal extenders, but now she needs something to sit on.Does anyone have any products/websites/companies they could recommend so that she can drive a car? Just about ANY recommendations for other driving accommodations would be appreciated as she feels really unsafe about driving.When she drives my Honda Civic, she has to move up really close to the wheel, and she's scared of that because it's dangerous to be within 10" of the air bag.She needs something to sit on that can fix the angle she is forced to sit at now.It makes her tilt back in a way that she can't see comfortably ahead and has to estimate her distance from others when in traffic, stopping and parking.
To answer your question...I use boat cushions, I sit on one - to see over the dash, and put the other one behind my back - to reach the wheel. Depending on how close she sits to the wheel, you may need to have the airbag disabled, although there is a process (dmv) you may need to go thru (I don't know the process, my dad took care of it for me).
A person on an email list sent out this link: http://www.efoamstore.com/
Maybe this could help.
Also, you may want to put something in front of the seat so she can put her feet down, instead having her legs hang off the front of the seat. Secure it so that it doesn't move when the car moves.
I hope this helps!
Carol