well seeing as no one has replied to this message I can assume no one else in the USA or Canada has an issue with the lack of full service gas stations, I would of imagined in the US there would not be much problems with the Amercians with Disabilities Act, I am so happy now if BC the province where I live could catch up with the times, I would be very happy

Cheers, M

This has been a big concern as I am about to get back to driving soon. In NY there are full service stations in the area but not everywhere. In Canada, Toronto area, there are none anywhere. So when I trave, I am going to have to do the whole process to get out of the car with my chair to fill up. It would really be nice to see when there are 2-3 workers in the gas station, that they setup a disabled full service option at gas stations. Drive up and hit an intercom button and the station attendant would come out and help you out.......

Well, I have a problem with it!  I don't goto alot of them anymore cause they don't have this service anymore but, alot of the ones that do won't take your visa unless you go in anyway.  I will goto costco and jumpout and the guy will come over and say they can help.  I'm thinking with what?  I'm out already! 

Since I've started using the wheelchair/van setup, I've found that I can't see the self-serve screen or reach the card-reader, so I have to go inside to get help just to read the pump!  Thankfully, I've found several local gas stations that will pump your gas for you if you have a valid handicap placard - all you have to do is honk twice (and hope they hear it over all the college kids buying beer!) or call them.  The pump reads the credit card, and they check for ID the first time they meet you, so your credit card is never out of your sight.

Karen

thanks for the information Rob, some things to think about for sure!!
in my province, there is one suburb that has made it law that all gas stations are full service (Richmond, BC) now that is the home town of Rick Hansen so I assume that has a lot to do with the legislation, however I would like to find out how this came into effect and how we get the legislation into other parts of the world.  If I find out more I will let you know.

BTW most of the gas pumps that I have seen are not accessible, not to mention if your gas is on the same side of your vehicle that you get out on, how do you pull up close enough to have enough room to get out of the car and the gas still be able to reach your car...lord only knows hehe
as my husband says, what has to happen? a disabled person dump a load of gas all over them selves, burn down a station before we see change? I mean really people!!

Shell is a great service station, although I can only think of hand full that advertise Full Service, if you have your disabled placard and you ask, they will fill up your tank for you on the self service isle, saves $ I can attest.  My car takes the most expensive gas and with the full service prices it is over $1.50/litre, yeah OUCH!  needless to say I dont travel far.

good luck to ya, until we do more as a society, not sure there will be any changes.  If there is an intercom button, I'm sure it will be out of reach LOL, not sure who they consult on these things but not someone in a wheelchair that's for sure !!

Your profile says you're a T5.  You obviously can get in and out of your car unassisted, so is there some reason you can't pump your own fuel?  Are the pumps in Canada different than in the US, or do you have other medical conditions besides a SCI that prevent you from doing it yourself?

I'm a C8 complete quad and I just do it myself.  There is one full service station in my town, but they close at 6pm.  I drive a VW Jetta diesel and I still prefer to do it myself because I wouldn't trust someone to put the right fuel in.  I also check my oil and tire pressure every other fill up or if I'm heading out of town (I travel quite a bit by myself).  The only problem I have is gripping my debit card to swipe fast enough for the reader.  To solve this problem I keep a pair of locking forceps in the car to grip the card.  They come in handy at ATM's also.  Before I got the forceps I used an aligator clip which gave me something easy to grab, but the forceps are better because the're longer and help to reach card readers that are higher up.

This isn't directed specifically toward you Marney, it's just something I generally curious about, more specifically from US chair users with injury level at or below mine (since I don't know if the pumps are different in canada).  There are a lot of topics on these forums complaining about able bodied people who assume us wheelchair uses can't do things ourself and are overly helpful when we don't need it, yet here's a situation where it's possible to do something yourself but want someone else to do it for you.  Why is fueling your car any different than other every day activities that you don't want/need help with?

tobym, have you ever thought about asking someone outside at the pumps to help you by pumping your gas?  I know a lot of people who would go out of their way to help someone in need.  I'm sure if you just tell them your situation they will be more than happy to assist you.

ummmm, no thanks. I will not ask a random person for help. I do not feel bad if the gas attendant is paid for the time to help me at the pump. At least it is their job. The pity stares of a random person can be used on someone else.

Well then. Good for you. Sounds like you love transferring and fighting with cards and having gas station refills be a pain that takes about 20-25 minutes each time instead of 5. More power to you. I would prefer to pay a few cents more a gallon or per litre depending on where I am and get full service. This isnt even an option in Canada in the Toronto area and I can assure you that getting between my car and the pump is a pain in the butt. Never mind the stares and pity looks as you get in and out of your car each time.  If you are honestly saying that you like this struggle rather than using a full service station and paying for the service or having it offered, you are in the minority. You must have a very tall wheelchair to look down at everyone else for wanting this..... 

I drove the entire US alone for 3 months last summer, and either got out and pumped my own gas or used the universal option (at least in the states) honking the horn 2 times.  Sometimes I just quickly found my location on iphone map and called into the location, if by chance they did not respond over the intercom.  I have a mini cooper and I sometimes needed to use a pen to push the intercom button because it was a bit out of reach.  The only place I found gas attendants was in Oregon and New Jersey, where it is required by law for them to pump your gas.

hi NJC2 and thanks for your reply and comments.  I certainly appreciate your comments and think you are much better and obviously not as lazy as I am that is for sure!!
I have a couple concerns when I bring up the lack of full service stations, the few stations that are around are open from 9am until 7pm generally (in my neighborhood).
1) The fuel on my car is on the drivers side which means when I pull up to a gas pump, # 1 I need enought room to get out and that does not leave enough room for the gas hose to reach the car, # 2 most of the time the pumps here are the old style that have a large cement base around them and are so high that I cannot reach the hose or the pump to turn it on, reach the controls and such.
2) My husband and I (both T5 para's) travel to my home province usually once a year, we are packed in to our vehicle like sardines with the dog, luggage, 2 chairs, etc etc. So getting out during that trip is not just a matter of grabbing the chair, and my husband is dang tired after long drives and really does not want to get out just to pump gas, one that he might not even be able to reach.  He like most men I know would not think to ask anyone for help, that seems to be an issue with  a lot of diabled people and I can tell you after 25+ years in a chair and being very independant, almost to a fault, that it is ok to ask for help, people actual do not mind helping and usually actually feel better from being able to help someone who asks.  After this many years my  joints, muscles, etc are worn out dude and the last thing I really want to do is just get out and pump gas, seriously i am not trying to complain and whine but after a long 12 hour day of work (8-10 hours work and 2+ hours commute) the last thing me or my husband want to do is do one more transfer! Uggh LOL
3) If I could check my own oil I would but I drive a Ford Mustang (88) and the hood is so heavy , able bodied have a hard enough time lifting it, my husband and i used to lift it together using a hockey stick or something as leaverage but do not bother anymore.  To reach the oil and windows in our other vehicle a Ford Escape is next to impossible, it is too far to reach, unless we had some special stick of something and how hard would that be to put the dip stick back into place? not sure, would imagine like most things it is not impossible and that is what I am saying about filling up the gas tank but sometimes it is just downright annoying and dangerous.  So if at all possible I would use the full service stations.  Gas stations are wanting to get away from having employees on hand and providing a service, well too bad, it should be mandatory in my opinion that service stations have a minimum of 2 employees on at all times, just for safety reasons.  If one person is available off and on to fill up a tank of gas I dont think that is unreasonable.
When I write a gas station to ask if there are any full service stations between point A and B and they write my back saying yeah they are all full service, and when I get there the sign in backwards and they are no longer providing full service, I think that is BS, or their solution that we phone ahead 24 hours and they will have someone there who can fill our tank? I mean come on is that really reasonable? what if we are 15 mins late because of traffic? is the person going to sit around and wait for us?  Like the one lady mentioned above as well, they expect you to honk and wait around like a doofus until finally someone notices you.  One of the problems is that kids now days think it is degrading to work at a gas station so a lot of stations around here are lacking employees, that I can sympathise with, with all the unemployment I find it hard to believe that some places have to bring in foreign workers, but it is true! crazy, but that is another issue all together LOL

I just think like Richmond, BC there should be legislature that it is mandatory that all gas stations have a full service lane at the very least.  People can have a choice to use the service or not.

Again thanks for everyones comments and thoughts.  It is nice to see the issue is a concern for some and not for others, to each their own right :)

see my comments below Joy...I hear yeah and agree with you girl ;)

Girl power LOL

i hear yeah! thumbs up Tobym hehe

hi raw wow, well all the more reason to not get a passport for me and my husband and stay north of the 49th :)  we thought we had it bad, i will stop complaining immediately LOL

keep it real!

Let me be clear this I do not see this as being an obstacle, its life.  I'm thankful for my life that was almost taken by another 4 years ago as I was run over by an SUV.  I DO NOT hold on to negativity, or complain about my condition or any challenges that come with it.  Each one is an opportunity for growth, I would suggest that you try to look at things in a similar manner.  Only seeing the negative is exhausting and I have to challenge you both to be a bit more positive. Its better for your health, so is the exercise of getting in and out of the car.

I am sorry if I sounded negative, if you knew me you would quickly find out that I am a very positive and have a good attitude and people find me very happy and cheerful, sure we all have our moments LOL
One reason for starting this post in the first place is to see if other people have an issue with the lack of full service, if no one minds then I will just drop it and will not even pursue it.
If you notice when you do go to a full service station, at least it has been my experience that  the term "full service" is used very losely now days, not sure why that is, used to be basically policy and mandatory (in fact they used to claim at a lot of service stations that if the attendant does not offer to check your oil and clean your windows that the gas is free), well that is obviously not the case anymore or I would not have paid for gas for a few years now.  I am really just getting appaled at the lack of care and passion people seem to have doing any job, used to be people would take pride in their work, not sure what the issue is now days, if it is the generation or if it is just people are stretched way too thin in their jobs, I know my job used to be done by 3 people and via cuts backs it is down to 1, so of course you cannot possibly do the work of 3 people so things have to fail.  anyways that is awhole nother topic of discussion.
I will try to be more positive and get more exericse, thanks for your suggestions :)
Cheers.

There is nothing about filling my car myself that is a pain.  I don't see anyone staring at all as I get out and fill up my car.  In fact, at the pump is the only place I have never been bothered by people trying to help.  It's faster and much less of a hassle to do it myself than to wait for someone to eventually come out and do it for me.  It doesn't take 20-25 minutes, it takes less than 10 minutes.  The only extra time it takes vs. anyone else doing it is the time it takes to get my chair in and out, and transfering is quick and easy.

All this fear of "pitty stares" you keep talking about I think is because you're a new injury and your still suffering a bit of self pitty.  It's normal, I've been there, you'll get over it.  Even if someone staresy, don't let it bother you.  Don't be afraid to do things because you're afraid people staring or what they might think.  The first year or two is the hardest.  Transfers may seem like a hassle, but you'll get stronger and better at it each time.

What exactly is the problem you have getting between your car and the pump?

Have you tried pulling in at an angle so that you have more room in the front to get in/out but the back is close enough to the pump?  My fuel door is on the passenger side, but like I mentioned before, it's a diesel.  Most stations only have 2 diesel pumps or one stuck in between two gas pumps I sometimes have to pull in at odd angles to get to them.  I've even backed up perpendicular to the a diesel pump to get between two other cars using the gas pumps on each side of it.

I know that style of old pump.  While traveling I've stoped at stations that have the diesel pumps either on the side or in the back, and they are sometimes that old style pump.  My arms are long enough that I can reach the pump and flip the on/off lever with the pump nozzle though.

I play wheelchair rugby and we have carpool to some tournaments, but only once or twice a year though.  I have my two regular passengers for those tournaments, one guy with CP that doesn't need a chair and another guy in a chair.  The guy in the chair transfers into the front passenger seat, and I load his chair into the trunk.  The other guy sits in back behind me, and I throw my chair in the back passenger side.  It's a tight, and I dred that long drive with passengers (the longest on so far was 14 hours).  We always drive home after the last game on the ffinal day of the tournament, but I still prefer to fill up my car myself.  I'm not afraid to ask for help when I need it, I have do it all the time in the grocery store to get stuff from the top shelf when I forget to bring my reaching stick.  I'm just picky when it comes to my car.  Before I was injured I did all of my own mantainence, and even now post injury I still change my own oil and do as much else as I can.

I drive a full size truck and an old (like 22yrs. old) s-10 blazer beater.  I like the full serve stations when its-40 and windy just like anyone else but when I have to pump it I do.  I have a charcot spine T12/L1 and it crunches and pops and hurts like hell sometimes.  I still do it cause I'm stuborn/angry somtimes/ and sometimes I just have to do it cause I have no cash on me or they are closed.  I don't wear my back brace like they tolad me to.  I just sit as straight as I can in or out of the truck and do what I have to do.  When I pull up to a pump I make sure I'm far enough out I can back up,turn around etc, and if someone is impatient behind me (like at costco)  I just move that much slower.  Just for them!  I've been doing this since 90' and it seems to me we all have our comfort level when it comes to getting help from a stranger and some are really strange but for all you younger guy's you have to remember we are all at a different age when we are hurt, from different backgrounds, and living this life will make you feel 80 when your maybe only 40 (me) and sometimes the jumping out to pump that gas might be the last thing you need  but also the very thing that stops you from driving.  One more thing lost in your life.  One more independat thing lost.  And as you age it will happen to you too.  My favorite is getting help from you guys that look but look away when you catch them eyeing up the chair.  I point ands say hey you and single out the shy one.  They usually want to help the most anyway but you have to get over it and ask.    And remember they want your buisness just as much as the next guy.  Well, maybe more if we all still drove gas guzzling boogie vans with dragons on the side!  Thats the first vehicle I thought I'd be driving when I got hurt.  I was 18 and thought it would be cool.....

And NJC2, U change your own oil?  Good job!  Me too.  After I got the charcot spine figured out it took me a year but I jump on the ground and still do it.  Just changed a idler arm on my blazer and am doing a 57' chev beater mostly by myself too.  We should share ideas on how to do stuff.

thanks all for the suggestions of how to make filling up and life a little more bearable :)

ouch! hehe
reminds me of this new wheelchair i saw the other day, it was a power chair and it went up and up and up, so high i would of fainted, but the person was eye to eye with his friend who was standing, was pretty wild!  I can just imagine how much that would of cost, as  my new w/c a manual basic chair is giong to cost me $10,000, $2000 for the cushion alone!  these prices are getting rediculous!!!!  Anyone else have a complaint about the insanely high cost of chairs...i guess that is for another forum ;)