SNN_August 2023 Issue_web

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 32
Buying a Car
Hamish Ramsden is back with another informative and engaging
column. This is his take on getting a car sorted with ACC.
—Hamish Ramsden
It takes a lot of energy to object
to a decision... but I decided to
go through with the process.
WELCOME—Hamish Ramsden has recently
joined the NZ Spinal Trust Peer Support team.
Published author Hamish Ramsden is a
regular columnist for the Spinal Network
News. He has a unique take on life and a very
dry sense of humour.
How long does it take to get a new car? Well in my case
about six and half years. Let me tell you the story.
Having had an accident with the resulting C5/6
tetraplegia I am fully behind (obviously) the whole ACC
system which caters for funding for my injury related
needs. It has helped me maintain a lifestyle that is
proactive and interesting, motivating me to get out of bed
each day. So, what about the car?
Just over 20 years ago I applied for funding for a modified
car, a Kia Carnival, which was basically a people mover
with a lowered floor. I don’t have enough strength to drive
but just sitting in the passenger seat would be sufficient.
Fortunately, having been declined funding I was in the
position to add the cost of the car to my mortgage and so
self-funded my car. It really was worthwhile doing as it
opened up a whole lot of opportunities for me and helped
avoid taking taxis unless really necessary.
So about six years ago with the old Kia, the Turtle as I
called her, (as it really was like winding up or winding
down a tank each day, but why “her”?) I applied for
funding for a new vehicle.
The process was thorough, but unfortunately, I was not
successful as ACC decided that the Turtle still had a few
years left in her yet. So, I waited a couple more years and
with the maintenance bill steadily rising I applied for
another vehicle.
Again, the process was very thorough, with the final
verdict being that ACC would fund me a Mercedes van.
Good news on the face of it but it would barely fit down my
drive, certainly wouldn’t fit in my garage, or any of the car
parks that I frequented and was basically a commercial
vehicle being suggested for a residential situation.
It takes a lot of energy to object to a decision, including
the possibility of mediation, but I decided to go through
with the process. In my mind, the other more realistic
option, was to obtain funding for a VW Caravelle.
Again, another type of people mover with the floor
lowered. It would have to come from overseas as at that
stage there were no companies in New Zealand altering
cars like this. This wasn’t a problem to me but would delay
the process and obviously increase costs.
I got to the stage where I prepared for mediation whilst
ACC had their law firm set up to object and argue their
side of the case. I didn’t want to get into a tit-for-tat
argument and thankfully after researching a lot of
information, thoroughly arguing my case, along with a
little outside help, I managed to get the decision
overturned and funding approved for a Caravelle. Then
everything was all set to order the vehicle. Although a
number of years after my second application.
Thanks to COVID-19 and production and supply delays, it
took another year for the vehicle to arrive, but the
problems did not finish there. The car arrived in
Christchurch, but the electric doors didn’t work. This
situation took some time to be resolved and I am now
fully operational.
So, what are the take-home messages from this and why
have I told you of my experience?
I guess the point is, if your claim is injury related then
don’t always take no, or the first option offered, for an
answer. If you have the ability and the desire to do further
research and argue your case, it can be very worthwhile.
There may be help and funding available for this as well.
Ask ACC, they’d love to put you on the right path!
Now what do I call my new car? Mr…