Monday 16 July 2007

Crip-Mobile!

Today I went for my driving assessment with Motability. I was looking forward to this but quite nervous as I haven't driven since I became disabled.
The world of crippledom has come on since the days of those huge basket chairs that littered Lourdes.
The car had all the adaptions the average disabled driver might need. There is a special nob that fits on the steering wheel which has a little keyboard complete with lights and indicators. It costs £800!!! Thank heavens I wont need that!
I will need a gas peddle that works on the left side and a steering nob without the extras on the wheel. I'll need indicators on the right. So long as we have an automatic I should be okay with just those adjustments.
Then I'll need lessons again just to get used to driving with bits of me not working right. Motability have recognised instructors for crips like me.
Then I should be okay! Whey-hey!
Of course I will have to leave out the opiate drug to drive...but maybe my Consultant will change my meds if I ask nicely.
I'm looking forward to taking the kids out for a trip...


David Cameron Tory Leader on Disability rights.
While I was waiting for my assessment there was a magazine called "Able" to read. Inside was an interview with David Cameron. Now, I have to admit I don't have much faith in Mr Cameron who seems far to quick to jump on bandwagons and nowhere near willing enough to THINK about them first.
Nevertheless he gave a rather interesting interview about treating disabled people with "dignity and respect" and allowing them (us) to have independence and dignity in our lives. Umm, this is a new idea in the Tory worldview as I worked with disabled people (yep I know, irony) when they were in power and taking away long term disabled people's independence and dignity was the order of the day.
Will Mr. Cameron remember his promise if he ever gets elected?
Does he understand what dignity and respect are?
Ummm. The Thinker

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you don't mind me asking what is your disability? Hope all went well with the driving!

God bless

WhiteStoneNameSeeker said...

Hi Jackie
I have a neuro disorder that's a lot like MS. Means I don't walk well or hold things or write very well. Whether my doc will say it is MS in the end is anyone's guess.

Anonymous said...

Oh just saw this...hope you're doing OK & that it's not MS.

God bless