On The Road Again
Since my injury 27 years ago, I have dreamed of driving again. On so many occasions, I wished I had the freedom and independence, to come and go at will. I never thought that I could afford this luxury, as the cost of the vehicle and modifications was quite prohibitive. One day, last year I came across an ad for a used, modified van that was pretty close to what I needed. Best of all it was economically priced. It was almost too good to be true! I began to think seriously about driving again.
As the vehicle required additional modifications tailored specifically to me, I contacted a driver rehabilitation centre. They did an assessment and prescribed what was necessary. Based on that assessment, I got a quote for the modifications. The cost was well within my budget so I purchased the van and had it equipped.
Although I had a driver's license prior to my injury, I let it lapse as I never thought that this day would come. So, I had to start all over again. I headed off to the driver examination centre and got in line with the 16 year olds. After a lengthy wait I was escorted into a room to write the test.
Unfortunately, the desks were not wheelchair accessible. However, they did their best to accommodate me in a private office with a desk high enough for me to get under. The test was a breeze and in a short while I was issued my On the Road Again G1 permit. I felt like I was 16 again! With my license in hand I was ready to hit the road. Not wanting to rush things, I decided to get some driving experience on a quiet road first. I went off to Mount Pleasant Cemetery, with its nice winding roads, and virtually no traffic. This was a great place to practice. In any case, I thought if things really went badly I wouldn't be too far from the grave!
As I became more comfortable and confident driving my van through the cemetery I felt ready to hit the streets.What an exhilarating feeling!With the old Canned Heat – I’m on the Road Again – song buzzing in my head, I drove on that first day for hours. It was as if I was trying to make up for lost time. The longer I drove the more confident I felt with each passing mile.
I learned a valuable lesson on one particular outing, that is, not to be in too much of a hurry. One day last fall, I was driving to work when I discovered that I had no control of the steering wheel. I just couldn't move my arm. The vehicle swerved toward the curb. I responded quickly by hitting the brakes but it was too late. I smashed into a curb, blew a tire and bent the rim.What had happened? As I tried to figure out why I found myself in this predicament, I noticed that I was slouched in my wheelchair. In this position, my ability to turn the steering wheel was severely restricted. Fortunately it wasn't anything too serious. From that day forward I made sure I was positioned correctly, that I was well-secured, and that I had good control over the vehicle before putting the car in gear. I likened it to a pilot doing a pre-check before takeoff.
I have been taking every opportunity to get out and drive to get more experience. In a few months, I will visit the driver examination centre to obtain my G2. I am eagerly anticipating the day when I can drive solo, so I can experience the freedom of the open road.
If you are interested in driving or looking for a modified van, give me a call at:
1-877-422- 112 extension 213 or e-mail
kevin.rogers[at]cpaont.org
For a list of Driver RehabilitationCentre’s in Ontario visit:
www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/medical-review/evalcentres.shtml
For vehicle modifications here are a few websites you can browse: