Hi -
I'm 51 yo (diagnosed at age of 23). I've been driving since I'm 17 years old. Over the years, I slowed down and 5 years ago, when my daughter got her license, I totally stopped driving. It basically got too overwhelming for me. I didn't really go out without my husband or daughter so I just stopped except some very short distances to pick something up. Driving became scary. I can't explain but I hope people here understand. I'd sit in a car with someone else driving and just couldn't imagine me speeding so quickly along.
Two years ago was really the turning point since we got rid of our "old clunker" and bought a 2008 car. During that time my legs have been getting weaker/numb-er. I still walk unaided, but slowly and short distances. I got in the new car for a 2 minute drive and it was so different than my old clunker. When I stepped on the gas the car shot out, when I stepped on the brake it came to an immediate stop (I know a car is supposed to do that but my old car was gentler.) I drove 2 minutes and pulled over and called my daughter to come get me and the car. I was really afraid that I wasn't in control of the gas and brake since I didn't really feel them.
Since then, I haven't driven at all. So now I decided that I need a car with hand controls. Where I live (Israel), I had to go to the ministry of health to be tested for driving ability (eyes, psychological...) so they gave me permission to drive but only after I pass a test on a car with hand controls. Once I do that they will pay 95% of the cost of installing hand controls in my car. Till I pass that test, my old license is invalid.
So now I started these driving lessons. The teacher assumed that if I've driven for so many years before, it would just be a matter of getting used to the hand controls.
But that's not the story at all. Even before my legs (or the new car) were the problem, I had basically stopped driving. The driving teacher keeps asking why I'm so negative and I can't really explain (to myself too) why I don't want to drive. I really only want to be able to drive 2 blocks to the store but they don't give driving tests like that. We practice driving through streets with traffic and I just want to sit in the passenger seat.
I remember a few years ago (more than those 5 years) being at a neurologist appointment with my husband there and he asked the neuro why I don't want to drive. What is bothering me from driving. He didn't have an answer.
I think I'm wasting a lot of money on these driving lessons - that I'll never be good enough for a road test. I'm afraid to drive fast. I really just wanted to be able to go out to buy milk - a little independence.
I'd love to hear other people experience with driving and what is preventing me
I'm 51 yo (diagnosed at age of 23). I've been driving since I'm 17 years old. Over the years, I slowed down and 5 years ago, when my daughter got her license, I totally stopped driving. It basically got too overwhelming for me. I didn't really go out without my husband or daughter so I just stopped except some very short distances to pick something up. Driving became scary. I can't explain but I hope people here understand. I'd sit in a car with someone else driving and just couldn't imagine me speeding so quickly along.
Two years ago was really the turning point since we got rid of our "old clunker" and bought a 2008 car. During that time my legs have been getting weaker/numb-er. I still walk unaided, but slowly and short distances. I got in the new car for a 2 minute drive and it was so different than my old clunker. When I stepped on the gas the car shot out, when I stepped on the brake it came to an immediate stop (I know a car is supposed to do that but my old car was gentler.) I drove 2 minutes and pulled over and called my daughter to come get me and the car. I was really afraid that I wasn't in control of the gas and brake since I didn't really feel them.
Since then, I haven't driven at all. So now I decided that I need a car with hand controls. Where I live (Israel), I had to go to the ministry of health to be tested for driving ability (eyes, psychological...) so they gave me permission to drive but only after I pass a test on a car with hand controls. Once I do that they will pay 95% of the cost of installing hand controls in my car. Till I pass that test, my old license is invalid.
So now I started these driving lessons. The teacher assumed that if I've driven for so many years before, it would just be a matter of getting used to the hand controls.
But that's not the story at all. Even before my legs (or the new car) were the problem, I had basically stopped driving. The driving teacher keeps asking why I'm so negative and I can't really explain (to myself too) why I don't want to drive. I really only want to be able to drive 2 blocks to the store but they don't give driving tests like that. We practice driving through streets with traffic and I just want to sit in the passenger seat.
I remember a few years ago (more than those 5 years) being at a neurologist appointment with my husband there and he asked the neuro why I don't want to drive. What is bothering me from driving. He didn't have an answer.
I think I'm wasting a lot of money on these driving lessons - that I'll never be good enough for a road test. I'm afraid to drive fast. I really just wanted to be able to go out to buy milk - a little independence.
I'd love to hear other people experience with driving and what is preventing me
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