Very much wanting to become a driver (but have a unique question - please read!)

Greetings All,

I've wanted to get into trucking for a number of years but always figured it was impossible because of my slight case of C.P. - A.K.A Cerebral palsy. Basically, all that means is I walk with crutches. I am in very good health and am quite physically fit. The only reason I didn't initially pursue trucking is because I thought I had to do loading/unloading of the trailers. Although, that's a bit of a problem - if I could find a company that would let me just drive; pickup a trailer/drop-off a trailer I see no problem. Is finding a position like this possible? A few friends of mine that are tuckers told me that's all they do.

I've been driving for 8+ years, and my driving record is squeaky clean; I have no special adaptations done to my car. Although I drive an automatic, driving a manual would not be a problem if someone was to teach me. As far as physically getting around - again, I am very fit, and was able to get in/out of my buddies truck without a problem. Furthermore I have no health conditions whatsoever and thus am not a danger on the road.

Just to give you an idea of how disabled I am NOT - next summer I will be getting a U.S.P.A. license (United States Parachute Association) and am currently training in wind tunnels across the country in order to become as proficient and competent of a skydiver as I can. Obviously, If I am physically fit to jump out of airplanes (it's not as easy of a sport as you may think!) I am fit enough to drive a truck.

If there are any questions and/or doubts that I didn't think of, please reply to this thread or PM me and I'll be more than willing to address them. Looking forward for your input and honest opinions. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

~Ralf

 

Thank you so much for the reply. I will go to the DOT Doc ASAP, and also read the specified requirements you mentioned.

Just 1 thing...

What is a "holster"?

 

Thank you all for the replies - I really appreciate all the information.

I don't really know where to start with answering the concerns, so I'm just going to go 1 by 1.

I realize & expect that there will be some form of physical labor; it's not really something you can get away from - whatever line of work you're in. I'm not afraid or intimidated by the need to perform physical labor; albeit I just might have to do some things differently.

I do have my crutches with me all the time - BUT - that doesn't mean I necessarily have mobility issues... To stand or walk, all I really need to do is lean up against anything with so much as a finger and I'm good to go; I don't mind getting down on the ground & getting dirty either. Securing a load, indeed doesn't sound like a problem. As for sweeping the trailer - although this may sound funny - I would just get down on my knees to sweep, just like I do when I sweep or wash the floors at home. Can I use a dust buster? LOL! Kidding, kidding...

The safety inspections - now that has got me thinking.,,,

Just like it's hard for you to picture what I am & am not capable of, it's difficult for me to picture what a safety inspection entails. That said - I'm almost positive I could figure out a way to overcome the obstacles...I've been doing that all my life. Again, I don't need my crutches all the time. I could just throw them on the ground, do what I gotta do then just pick them up and walk away.

Are you guys in or around Chicago? (within a 100 miles.) I'm thinking it would be good to meet up with someone, so we both can get an idea of what to expect.

The fact of the matter is, any job I go for there is going to be a problem; not so much coming from me, but more-so the person(s) doing the hiring. It's easy to size somebody up based on appearance & doubt them. That's been the story of my life. So I thought, if there's 1 thing I can do very well it's drive. I don't care 1 bit about my disability, I'm not 1 of these "oh me types...I only realized it was going to be a problem (& thus started caring) as it started getting in the way of me having a livelihood in my adult life

Think of just some of the underdogs that have beat the odds - if they had given up easily in the face of adversity than we wold never know, the power, will or determination of the human spirit. I'm thinking of people such as: Tony Iommi - lead guitarist for Black Sabbath. Did you know that the tips of all his 5 fingers were cut off in a machine shop accident when he was a kid. He vowed never to play again - until a friend played a tape of a guy who played amazingly, using only 3 fingers. Iommi was so inspired that he found a way to play. Others that also come to mind are Rick Allen & Jeff Healey; Allan was a 1-handed drummer for Def Leppard, while Healey was a blind guitar player(awesome by the way!) that had his guitar laid out across his lap while sitting down, playing it like a Piano. Hell, Beethoven still composed music, even after he began to gradually lose hearing in his early 20's; he continued to play & reform even after going completely deaf! I mean, who woulda thunk it?!...

Granted, right now there are a lot of unknowns, but all I want to do is go out there & find out if I have a fighting chance.

 

I'm not sure I understand exactly what that means... Can you elaborate? I mean, I think I have an idea, but am not sure it's the same as what you're thinking.