Help Brenten Drive: Adaptive Left-Foot Accelerator, Brodie Knob, and Required Training
Hi, I’m Caleb, my wife is Michelle, and this is about our son Brenten.
Brenten was born with limb differences from Amniotic Band Syndrome and has done life his own way ever since—surgeries, prosthetics, grit, and a sense of humor that gets us through the hard days. He’s now a brand-new driver, and learning to drive is the next big piece of independence he’s been chasing: getting himself to school events, finding work, and (let’s be real) making snack runs.
To drive safely, Brenten’s OT/driver-rehab specialist (CDRS) is requiring two pieces of adaptive driving equipment on his 2019 Ford EcoSport in order to move from a dual-control permit back to a regular permit with restrictions:
- an electronic left-foot accelerator (so he can control the gas with his left foot), and
- a steering-wheel spinner (“Brodie”) knob for better one-hand control.
We’ve already started the required professional evaluation and training and he’s putting in the hours—parking-lot drills, neighborhood streets, parallel parking, K-turns—the whole ladder. He is so close. The tough part is the cost: insurance doesn’t cover vehicle modifications or driver-rehab lessons, and we’re paying as we go to keep his momentum.
What we’re asking
We’re raising $3,000 to cover the price of the adaptive equipment and the install. If you can’t donate, a simple share helps a ton. No pressure—truly.
Transparent cost breakdown
- Electronic left-foot accelerator (installed): ~$2,800–$3,000
- Spinner/Brodie knob (installed): ~$250–$350
- CDRS evaluation + behind-the-wheel lessons (completed/ongoing): ~$3,200–$3,450 — we’ve covered this
Estimated total: ~$6,500
Why is it so expensive you may be asking?
- Brenten is a new driver, so training is more extensive
- Certified Driving Rehab Specialists are rather difficult to come by in rural Pennsylvania
- The pedal is a permanently installed electronic left-foot accelerator that integrates with the car’s throttle. It is purpose-built and installed by a NMEDA QAP mobility dealer to industry standards. It uses electronic lockout/activation, and is safer than the bipedal mechanical lever activated kits you see online.
- The brodie spinner knob: This isn’t a $40 clamp-on. It’s a medical-grade, quick-release spinner that’s professionally fitted with safety features and documented for Brenten’s license/training. The clamp on knobs typically don’t meet driver-rehab best practices and aren’t accepted for restricted-license training.
How we’ll use your gift
Purchase and install the equipment through a certified adaptive/mobility vehicle shop (likely Phase 2 Vehicle Specialties in Williamsport, PA).
Complete training through road-test readiness.
Post receipts, photos, and updates so you can see progress.
If we’re short / if we go over
If we don’t hit the goal, every dollar still goes towards the equipment and install.
If we exceed the goal, anything extra covers additional lessons, adjustments, and maintenance on the adaptive gear.
Once the need is met, we’ll close the fundraiser and post a final thank-you.
From me—one dad to another human—asking for help is not easy. I’ve spent years helping others in various capacities (Volunteering, the IGY6; Foundation, Fire and EMS, various fundraisers, and now in other areas of healthcare). Letting people help us feels weird, but Brenten has worked too hard for pride to slow him down now. If you choose to be part of this, thank you for helping give him the keys to independence for the rest of his life.
With gratitude,
Caleb, Michelle & Brenten
P.S. Here’s the PA DMV info on dual-control permits and the why behind this process: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/licenses-and-photo-ids/dual-control-permit
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