Seat belts

Hi Linda

The exemption for wearing a seat belt on medical grounds must be approved by your GP who has to satisfy him/her self that there is no alternative and it is necessary to be exempt because you have a ostomy pouch. 

DVLA suggest that rather than an exemption the driver looks as belt extenders which come in various styles. 

When I was a taxi driver I carried old ladies who were on the plump side and I purchased an extender to enable them to legally wear a belt. 

I would look at Halfords range of extenders and look on the Internet (I've just searched and there is lots to choose from) possible a belt extender like they give you on an aircraft might be the answer, I've worn them on flights when I was overweight and they were very comfortable and did not rub against my pouch. 

Even with an exemption certificate I would still for safety reasons wear a belt. 

If you weigh up the cost of the doctor signing the exemption certificate and purchasing an extension the difference will only be a few pounds. 

Ian

Hi Ian 

Hopefully are recovering from your recent hospital stay.

Thanks for that information,  it's interesting to know that you could get an exemption from wearing a seat belt, I am so used to wearing one that I couldn't not use it.

The best extenders I found were on EBay so will order one to try out.

I will make another mini cushion for using on the driver side as I feel nameless needs a little protection.

Hope the sun is shining for you today.

Linda

Hi Linda

Thanks for asking recovery slow due to no energy putting that down to the strict diet I am on. 

Do you remember a (good) number of years ago you used to be able to buy seat belt clamps that allowed you to wear a belt loose but if needed the belt would tighten up and stop you hurting yourself. 

Also do you also remember the pads that you could attach to the top belt to stop the belt cutting into you but was used mainly by the youngsters of the time to stop their clothes being crumpled. 

As a matter of interest do you have an ileostomy or colostomy as your comments about it being different depending on whether you were the driver or passenger

Still think the extender will be your best bet as you can have it as loose as you want. The one I had only been  fitted certain cars which was a best if I changed car models. 

Ian

http://www.stomawise.co.uk/stomawise-store/comfy-drive

Hi, I have the seat belt attachment that you can access using the above link. It's really only 2 pads that you attach to your seatbelt that holds th seatbelt away from your stoma. I find it woks very well. 

Hi Linda

Further to the previous response have a look at this 

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.respond.co.uk/product/ostoshield-stoma-protector/&ved=0ahUKEwjSh5vInazUAhWLJ8AKHe7PCYMQFghgMAo&usg=AFQjCNFGPTRvfq0uwHjO9A5PN21VJdMRIA

With the attended advantage it is a NHS prescription item 

Need to have protector and belt which are separate items both prescription items

Ian

My Oh has a high output bag on top of a large hernia.

I had looked at variou solutions, but we were in Halford's and I saw some seat belt protectors, two pads you put on the belt and the shoulder part. They were less than ten pounds and come in black, very discreet.

They also stop the seat belt rubbing a leather jacket!

He has just driven five hundred miles in two days with no problem, so they seem to work

I have just bought a pack of two seat belt pads from Wilko. They are excellent, soft black material with little pads inside and fasten with Velcro at only £3 a pack.

Linda

Hi Linda, My seat belt too came over my stoma, I boight a seat belt pad from Asda, bargain at 4 quid to put on. Brilliant it is. Off to buy another one for my hubby's passenger side and my passenger side in case he drives mine. For the price try one. X 

As someone who is a professional driver, I place the seat belt underneath my bag, then this does not cause any discomfort. 

Also, I do believe that unless you have a physically altering disability that prevents the seatbelt being safe in a usual position, then an exception would not normally be issued. I’ve asked to his of my GP, who declined on these grounds. And no, he didn’t know I was a professional driver for a living. 

It looks like there are very few reasons why an exemption certificate would be issued and it is up to the GP, you are able to seek a second opinion from another GP but suggestions should be given to help to overcome any reasons for not doing so or not being able to wear them.

The following Click on this may give you some ideas on how to protect your stoma.

I was a professional (car) driver and bought an adjustable seat belt extender (similar to the types airlines have) which meant I could have the lap part of the belt loose around my waist, just had to make sure no emergency stops.

In my spare time I drove a taxi and was exempt from wearing a seatbelt but still wore one with the extender even for short journeys.

Ian

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