The 'Quad Rod'

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Release date: September 21, 2009  /  Print This     RSS    

Ron Heagy calls it his "quad rod." The Salem, Ore., resident is paralyzed from the neck down, so driving means controlling the 1968 Pontiac Firebird with a joystick in his mouth.

The vehicle was a project of local garages and a team of supporters from a local corporate campus. Vancouver Maaco operator Glenn Miller donated a Signature Service. “Our center was extremely proud to have participated in this project,” he said.

Heagy made several laps at Portland International Raceway, falling short of the 50 mph needed to earn an appearance as a pace car. Still, it was “almost like going to the moon,” he said.

Paralyzed in a surfing accident 30 years ago, Heagy earned a Master’s degree while typing with a stick in his teeth. He went on to become a husband and father, an inspirational speaker and the founder of a special needs camp for exploring the great outdoors.