Luvmyfords

Hello to all on this site. Just want to give a brief intro about myself and my situation. I've been in a wheelchair going on 4 years now because of a spinal cord injury I sustained due to a work injury. I'm a paraplegic with good upper body strength with no use of my legs at all. I just made a quick decision on getting a new vehicle without test driving to many, but I really had my eye on the new Edge Sport. It didn't work out as planned since it was to hard for me to get in and out of the vehicle and to get my wheelchair in the vehicle also. That's when I decided to test the new Explorer, that worked out alot better. The only modifications I have to use is handcontrols. The Explorer is easy for me to transfer into and pulling my chair in with me is a cinch. The Limited with all the options available should make it easy for me because of the power rear lift gate, along with the auto folding seats. And because of my mobility limitations, the blind spot monitoring system is a perfect solution. My current vehicles that I drive are a 2004 F-150 FX4, 2006 Escape XLT, and a 1972 Mustang 302. I'm trading the F-150 and the Escape in for the Explorer. It's amazing how hard it is to get the Explorer because of the dependency on over sea parts vendors, but I did find the one I wanted 200 miles away from where I live. No dealers are trading right now which makes it even more of a pain to us, the customer. Looking forward to get her home and throw the handcontrols in. Anyways, this is a great site to hear about the latest and greatest info for us Ford fans. Oh, by the way, I work at my local Ford dealership ( Morries Buffalo Ford ) as there advertiser assistant. Mainly doing all the updates on all car sites ( craigslist, Cars.com, etc.) Which qualifies me to purchase on the "D" plan. BIG savings!! Terry H. Buffalo, Minnesota

Well everyone, went to my local dealer to test drive the Edge, doesn't look like it's going to work for me. Getting in to the vehicle is going to be an accessibility issue. The doors don't open wide enough for me to grab my wheelchair and break it down to get it inside the cab with me. My 6'2" frame needs a little more room than what the Edge has to offer. It just so happened the new Explorer was another vehicle on my wish list and I had alot better results getting in and out. It's to bad it didn't work out with the Edge but being in a wheelchair, it's frustrating not being able to get into certain vehicles. But on the other hand, at least I can still drive most vehicles with simple handcontrols. Guess I'll be hopping over to the Explorer page now.

Hey all you Ford fanantics, especially the Edge owners. Looks like I'll be joining the "elite" crowd now. I have a 2011 Edge Sport on it's way ( dealer trade). Hope I'm making the right decision by trading in 2 vehicles for the 1. Saying so long to my 2004 FX4 150 and my 2006 XLT Escape. Both have been very good vehicles to me, no complaints, just need to down size. The Edge Sport caught my eye as soon as I seen it and knew I had to get one. Every vehicle I have owned in the past has had the "blacked" out look to it. It just makes practical sense for someone in my position ( paraplegic and full time wheelchair user) to get a car/truck like the Edge. It's easy to get in and out of, and it has all the "bling" I'm looking for. Since I drive with handcontrols, the my touch with voice activation will really be the answer for me. Just want to find out how everybody else like there Edge and looking out for any and all bugs with this model. Being stranded and in a wheelchair sucks. I know it sucks for everyone, but trying to transfer in a tow truck from the chair, really does suck!!!! Just saying hi to everybody and look forward to share as much info as I can. My name is Terry and I come from the land of ice and snow........Minnesnowda.

Hey Mike, great to know I'm not the only paralyzed Ford fan here. Nice choice in trucks to by the way. Damn, sounds like we have alot in common, who knows, maybe Ford could use us in one of there marketing campaigns, or possibly poster childs'.

Here's a pic of handcontrols in my Escape just to give everybody an idea on how it looks. I'll take pics of the Mustang and F-150 when I get the chance.

The only time I don't have the feeling of being disabled is when I'm driving. I also have a new Harley trike that I ride. Actually Ford didn't adapt the vehicles for me. I had a shop that specializes in conversions to accomodate for disabled drivers. Ford has a reimbursment program for the equipment needed ( hand controls, lifts, etc.) Wow, tripping over a cat, that's how my accident happened. I didn't trip over a cat, I tripped over an air hose and fell inside a stainless steel tank that I was working on ( welding was my profession) untitled.bmp

There's something to be said about breaking tradition, don't mess with a good thing. By the way, when did Ford let Cheech and Chong in the logo design room??

I'm still waiting for the Ford Courier vs. Chevy Luv pulloff competition........................makes about the same sense doesn't it?????? Or better yet, the Pinto wagon vs. Chevy Vega wagon grocery getter 500. GM has always had something to prove when it comes to the truck series, but has always come up short. More power to the GM execs. trying to roll up there arm sleeves against Ford, guess uncle Sams wallet had enough advertisement allowence for the underdogs.

Great idea, may look tacky ,but it would save my interior from looking so rough. I'll have to look into this.

Thanks, the only drawback I have is the scratches in the door panels from my wheelchair when I'm placing it in the vehicle. There's no real good solution to prevent it from happening, besides being x-tra careful. If only I could extend the doors open a little farther, it would help.

First off, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Terry and I live just outside of Minneapolis with my wife Phyllis. I just recently started a new job with my local Ford dealership (Morries Ford) in parts and accessories sales. We are proud owners of 3 Ford vehicles ( '04 F-150, '06 Escape, '10 Mustang GT convertible). I suffered a work injury on 4/20/2007 that left me a paraplegic due to a broken back and severed spinal cord. After a long rehabilitation program to learn how to be more independent, I got behind the wheel to drive again with the use of hand controls. My wife insisted on getting a ramp van thinking it would be alot easier on me and getting my wheelchair in the vehicle. After 6 months of using a van, I had enough of the soccer mom image and traded the van in for the 2004 F-150. As time went on, it got easier to transfer myself from my wheelchair to the truck, I figured it's time to drive something sportier, and that's where the 2010 Mustang found it's way to my garage. Anyways, I just wanted to comment on the ease of getting in and out of all the Ford vehicles from the past and the present models. With the sufficient head and leg room, and the ease of using all the instrument controls and acourse the build quality, Ford, Lincoln, & Mercury will always be my choice of transportation.