Driving Without the Bracket
Safety disclaimer: Do not attempt this yourself. Driving without required adaptive equipment or wheelchair components may be dangerous. Always follow your equipment manufacturer’s instructions and consult qualified mobility and vehicle-adaptation professionals.
Today, I drove my car without the wheelchair bracket.
I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it. The experience felt strange and unfamiliar, and part of me remained aware that this was not the setup I was supposed to have. The bracket exists for a reason—it would make driving safer, easier, and better suited to my needs.
At the same time, it felt good to arrive at work in my brand-new wheelchair without the usual pain. That mattered more than I can easily explain.
For many people, driving to work and getting out of the car are ordinary parts of the day. For me, every part of that process involves planning: how I will transfer, how much pain I might experience, whether my equipment will cooperate, and how much energy I will have left when I arrive.
Today was not a perfect solution. I should not have to improvise around a missing piece of equipment just to use my wheelchair and live my life. But for a little while, I experienced what this chair was supposed to provide: greater comfort, mobility, and independence.
The moment left me with mixed emotions. I felt relieved because I reached work with less pain. I felt proud because I found a way forward. But I also felt frustrated that I still do not have the bracket needed to make this arrangement complete.
Disabled people are often expected to celebrate partial solutions. We are told to be grateful when equipment technically works, even when it does not fully meet our needs. But “almost accessible” is not the same as accessible, and “almost independent” is not the same as independent.
Still, today gave me a glimpse of what life could feel like with the proper equipment and support.
It felt strange. It felt uncertain. But it also felt good to get where I needed to go without paying for it with the usual pain.
For today, I am allowing myself to appreciate that.Daily Update — September 30, 2026