Armless Driver Fights Loss of License
Ray Myers was known as the 'armless musician.' He was born in 1911 without arms, but he taught himself to play the guitar with his feet, and he became quite accomplished. Good enough that he was considered to be talented in his own right, not just as a curiosity.
Myers also taught himself how to drive a car using only his feet. Not a specially outfitted car. Just a normal one. (Though I'm assuming it was an automatic.) But in 1965, after driving without incident for 29 years, he lost his license. The reason: the state's new computer flagged his license to be revoked when it came across the notation in his file that he had been "born without arms."
Myers appealed the decision, and (probably thanks to all the media attention the case got) was allowed to take a special exam. Two weeks later he was driving again.
Myers died in 1987 at the age of 75. More info about him at missioncreep.com and Arcane Radio Trivia.
Myers also taught himself how to drive a car using only his feet. Not a specially outfitted car. Just a normal one. (Though I'm assuming it was an automatic.) But in 1965, after driving without incident for 29 years, he lost his license. The reason: the state's new computer flagged his license to be revoked when it came across the notation in his file that he had been "born without arms."
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Jan 18, 1965
Myers appealed the decision, and (probably thanks to all the media attention the case got) was allowed to take a special exam. Two weeks later he was driving again.
Sayre Evening Times - Jan 28, 1965
Myers died in 1987 at the age of 75. More info about him at missioncreep.com and Arcane Radio Trivia.
Comments
Years ago, there was a story on 60 Minutes about an armless woman (I think she'd been a Thalidomide baby). The part I remember showed her changing her baby's diaper.
I once taught in a school for children with physical disabilities. All the kids in my class except one were in wheelchairs. The one who wasn't had stubs of arms. She typed with her toes, and did it pretty well.
I once taught in a school for children with physical disabilities. All the kids in my class except one were in wheelchairs. The one who wasn't had stubs of arms. She typed with her toes, and did it pretty well.
Posted by ges on 09/07/17 at 09:55 AM
I once sat behind a fellow at a conference with no arms. It was amazing to see him pick up his notepad and pencil off the floor and take notes, with just his feet.
Posted by RobK on 09/07/17 at 11:11 AM
Twenty nine years without incident? There are some who drive for less than a tenth of that period and have wrecked three or four cars.
Posted by KDP on 09/07/17 at 04:55 PM
I am no longer surprised by the arrogance and incompetence of Pennsylvania State employees.
Posted by Omar on 09/08/17 at 03:53 PM
ges: Alison Lapper?
Posted by Richard Bos on 09/22/17 at 01:11 PM
Richard, I hadn't heard of her, but she's about 30 years too old and she has no arms at all.
Posted by ges on 09/24/17 at 01:31 PM
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Category: Human Marvels | 1960s | Cars