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D ruising along the autostrada on his weekly run to Italy,

4th April 2002, Page 31
4th April 2002
Page 31
Page 32
Page 31, 4th April 2002 — D ruising along the autostrada on his weekly run to Italy,
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Martin Boddy looks no different to any other truck driver. But watch him pull up at his destination and hoist himself and his wheelchair out of his cab, and soon realise that this man is more than r average owner-drivet oddy is paralysed from the chest down folng an accident in Holland when he turned : his truck and was left a paraplegic. Most is would have given up—but Boddy left pital after six months determined to get < behind the wheel of an HGV. "I've been ing since I was 21," he explains. "My dad a truck driver and so are my two brothers. all I've ever wanted to do."

o he took what he describes as the biggest ible of his whole life, investing nearly all of f75,000 insurance payout in an artic. He been assured by a local company that the icle could be modified for him to drive, but Aher he would be able to cope physically— whether anyone would give him work— another matter altogether.

'hree years on and the gamble is paying Boddy is now in partnership with his .ther and Martin Boddy International has ome a three-truck operation specialising in .rnational groupage.

lut it hasn't been easy. "The hardest thing 5 finding work," he says. "There's a lot of :rimination out there—people don't expect lisabled driver in a truck." This attitude ■ mpted Soddy to set up on his own: "It's lost impossible to get employers to take you when you're disabled. They see the wheel:it: and think you won't be able to cope."

3e honest—if a driver in a wheelchair came our firm asking for a job, how would you ct? Probably exactly as he predicts: " lie's : going to be able to load and unload'... 'We it afford to have one of our trucks modified ecially for one driver'... 'Our insurance preurns will be go through the roof'..."

kit common misconceptions, says David ights, managing director of KC Mobility vices (KCMS) at Batley near Leeds. KCMS

modified Boddy's latest Volvo FH12 with help from the local Volvo dealership. Modifications included a winch to help him in and out of the cab; a brake lever on the steering wheel; a hand throttle; and a hydraulic clutch system.

Knights says: "People think it's complicated but it's not. Apart from the system to get the driver in and out there's no difference in converting a truck than converting a car." He explains that none of the modifications interfere with the standard controls so that anyone can drive a modified vehicle: "All the pedals are left intact. You wouldn't know it was adapted."

Knights insists that disabled drivers are as safe as any others and, once they have been deemed fit to drive by the DV LA, an employer's insurance should not be affected.

It took a great deal of courage and determination for Boddy to progress; help is also out there. The modifications to the vehicle cost nearly 18,000, but help was at hand from the Employment Service's "Access to Work" scheme.

This scheme aims to support disabled people and their employers "to overcome work-related obstacles resulting from disability". It provides at least 8o% of the cost of special equipment or adaptations to premises. In Boddy's case the ES matched Boddy's huge financial commitment by paying :t00% of the conversion costs.

One of the main obstacles that drivers with disabilities have to overcome is the licensing rules. Any form of disability must be declared to the DV LA. This is usually referred to a medical committee who decide whether the person is fit to hold a licence (see "From the horse's mouth", below).

Ian Hetherington of the Road Haulage and Distribution Training Council says: "These expert panels are very rigorous, particularly on things like epileptic fits. However, they tend to take a very practical view of ways around disability." Hetherington is all for employers recruiting drivers with disabilities. "Not out of political correctness," he explains, "but purely out of self-interest." Considering the driver crisis, he says: "We are actively encouraging employers to recruit drivers from all avenues, no matter how difficult they may seem. This driver is a shining example to the industry."

Boddy doesn't see it that way; he's just a driver getting on with the

job. "People think I'm a saint and the other drivers alwavc o out of

their way to help me," he smiles. "1'11 let the but in the end I've got to be able to do myself. I've met one guy who drives with false leg. I was gobsmacked... now that real is something worth writing about!"

Which brings us to Lawrence Reekie: anoth man who proves that with enough self-belief physical disability is not an obstacle to being good driver. l

worked offsho: for 17 years until tonnes of steel cc lapsed on the dr platform. He lo his left leg froi the knee and no wears an artifici limb.

Having worke as a fork-lift driw at the age of 17 I: says: "I'd alwa) fancied driving truck, and I thought 'now's n: chance'." With the help of Pert! based Alex McAra HGV Trainin Reekie passed his C+E test last Jul three years after taking his C test.

His trainer, Alex McAra, say "The main problem for Lawrenc was mastering the clutch. It too constant practice for him to get right. Passing his C+E was a grei achievement."

Until recently, when the firr ceased trading, Reekie was drivin for Dundee-based refrigerated firr Logisticool. He explains: "I didn mention my leg until after they sai the job was mine. Fortunately fo me the boss said 'what the heci we'll give you a go anyway'."

Len Gair of driver training firr Omnia says: "Most employers ar too narrow-minded. If a person i determined and you are prepared t give them a chance when other wouldn't, you'll be rewarded with lot of loyalty."

• Next issue: the problems faced b diabetic drivers.


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