@raprap,
In 1995, I had a shoulder joint replacement, and a manuel transmission. Sure glad it was my left shoulder, or I wouldn't have made it safely to work, grocery store, etc. In 2007, I had three fractures of the pelvis, and a few other odd injuries. It was two months - MONTHS - before I was able to throw out the clutch. Fortunately, no one is so permanently disabled as to be unable to work both clutch and gear shift. And if there is, well, they should probably stay home.