Ron's POZ Blog

December 14, 2006 – a day I will long remember.

YIPPEE!!!!

I took my very first driving evaluation/ lesson today on a hand controlled car. I finally got my permit from the “great” state – oops – commonwealth of Pennsylvania that I have been trying for since July 2006. So, after numerous “they shouldn’t have done that”s and “you have to do this,” I finally got the permit and set up my first appointment. Remember - I haven't driven a car since October 1999!

I honestly thought I would be given tests to monitor or check my reflexes, eyes and stuff and was prepared for a stress-free examination in some room. I signed all the appropriate forms and the last one was for the road lessons. Hmmm, I thought, nahhhh. Then I met the woman that I had been talking to from the rehab center – she walked with a cane and explained to me that she had suffered a stroke a year ago (at 38) and went through all of this herself too. I felt instant camaraderie with her and relaxed a lot. But then she made my heart pound when she introduced me to my instructor who would be taking us out driving today. Today? He is a very nice man – very warm, sociable and patient with nerves of steel, obviously. I was led to the car where I stood and pivoted quite smoothly to seat myself in the driver’s seat. OK, I can do this. Relax. The instructor went through all the basics of the hand controls. A lever on the left is the brake and accelerator – pushing forward is the brake and a gradual downward motion is the accelerator. The steering would be accomplished with a knob on the wheel allowing for easy 360 degree movement. The instructor had his own set of controls on the right and my therapist scooted into the back.

I was very nervous when he directed me to drive to a neighboring parking lot. I drove 10 to 15 miles per hour, trying to be smooth with the gas and brakes. I finally got the smoothness I wanted managing circles and figure 8s quite easily and I continued to relax. He then instructed me to go through the main parking lots of the center and the adjoining shopping center WITH a street between them. I did all my turns, up and down, right and left – smoothly – maybe 90% of the time. I parallel parked and backed into a parking spot too! Twice I forgot my hand control movements and tried to use my feet. I lack the coordination in them, but I have to re-learn to just leave them be and use the hand controls. He joked with me he’d bungee tie them down if I kept up! I still think to use my feet and keep them positioned and poised for the pedals which do not exist.

The result was very good. I only jerked my passengers twice and not very badly, so they gave me a very good report on my handling of the controls, my relaxing and the definite advantages and ease of future lessons. I was an excellent candidate. They both feel from my first driving experience that my need for lessons would be in the low count. I was given a driver’s manual to study because I would have to take the written part again to be re-certified. I feel like I’m 16 years-old again!!

I need to decide when to begin the lessons. I might wait until spring for the heavy duty lessons to prepare for the test, but may squeeze in a few now while the weather is decent!