The Natives are Getting Antsy but I'm Driving Again

I have had so many inquiries about why I've not updated everyone in a while, so I've decided to just do it in bits. It occurred to me after the 97th request that perhaps my readers are concerned about my health when they don't hear from me. Surely they are not concerned because they enjoy reading my thoughts that much. Right? Well, I'm still doing well. So well, in fact, that the state of Texas issued me a brand new shiny driver's license! And it has a photo that's not ten years old. It actually looks like me NOW because they took a new picture. It's the darndest thing...turns out you can actually drive with a visual impairment but not without a whole lot of hoops to jump through. Also, by visual impairment I mean I'm STILL missing most of my left visual field, but apparently that's just fine for driving.

The neuroopthamologist in Houston told me months ago that with the right glasses and training I would be able to drive again but I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical. I mean, when you are missing half of your world and stuff just appears out of nowhere and scares the crap out of you when you are walking down the sidewalk, you start to doubt that you'll ever be independent in any way ever again. Apparently she knew what she was talking about. I mean, neuroopthamology sounds hard so perhaps she's brilliant and knows a lot of stuff, huh?

So first they fitted me for the temporary Peli glasses and I wore those for a few months to get used to them. They give me about 20 degrees more vision, which isn't a lot, but it's some and some is better than none. A few weeks ago I went back and they fitted me for the permanent glasses. I won't get those until they've been custom made and that takes a while.

A few days after that appointment, I had to visit an occupational therapist in Houston who trains people with disabilities how to drive. My OT was Adam and he was awesome. He didn't stomp his brake pedal at all, even when I almost hit the back of a truck on interstate 10. I mean, the guy stopped right in front of me on the interstate. Who does that? Luckily, I stopped in time but I suspect Adam may have had to wipe thoroughly when he got back to the office. Day 1 was a lot of testing limitations and driving. The assessment was that most of my driving issues had nothing to do with my vision and had everything to do with what Adam termed "bad habits learned over time." Things like not stopping BEFORE the stop sign, not stopping at the correct place at a red light, staying in the same lane when turning, and stopping too closely behind a stopped car. So, essentially, old lady driving. On the bright side, I can still parallel park without a backup camera! Who knew?!

On day 2 Lois and I met Adam at the DPS (that's the DMV for those not in Texas) and he took me out on the route where they do the driving test to show me potential problem intersections or places I might screw up. When he thought I was ready, we went back to the DPS office and checked in for our appointment. I got a very nice lady examiner who took me on pretty much the same route that I'd just driven. When we were finished, she just simply said, "You passed" and then she said, "You drive better than most Houstonians who don't have a disability. Now, I will go and get your driver's license." So as soon as I got home to Lubbock I broke Gertrude out of garage jail and we were on our way. Like most things in this journey, driving again comes with many lessons.

Lesson #1: It would be more helpful if I could spin my head all the way around like the girl on the exorcist, however, I have to constantly look right then left so that I am aware of everything at all times. Not that I didn't always scan my environment, I just have to be extra mindful about it now.

Lesson #2: You cannot expect other cars to just follow basic driving rules, especially in Lubbock. I have quickly learned that the learned bad habits, as Adam referred to them, are things I've obviously picked up in Lubbock. No one stays in their lanes while turning, everyone slams on their brakes at the last minute, no one stops at stop signs or even red lights. Such bad influences, these people!

Lesson #3: Most intersections in Lubbock are not well marked for straight versus turning lanes, nor are any other lanes clearly marked. Sometimes you are just driving along and the lane somehow turns into two lanes and there are no lines and no indication that you are now in a different lane. This issue *might* have led to an extremely small incident that resulted in Gertrude's side mirror getting cracked a tiny bit. The mirror she smooched came through unscathed, but the two must have been extremely attracted to one another. I hope they don't run off together to the demolition derby! Afterward I told Jason that maybe I don't need a new car (I'd been shopping for a car with all the latest safety technology) but he responded that he sees it as a reason to go ahead and move toward getting a car with the latest safety features. It's amazing what the new cars have on them that will supplement what Adam referred to as "low vision." 

Lesson #4: Students on campus do not use cross walks and wander off into traffic while texting. I've taken to just sticking my head out the window to yell at them. I'm thinking I need a speaker on the car so I can really be obnoxious. One day Jason was with me and I was complaining about a student and he said, "Get off mah lawn!" I'm thinking this could become loads of fun- I'm embracing my inner 80 year old woman!

Lesson #5: Mindful driving can be exhausting and slow. I have to give myself lots of extra time so I can be extra cautious.

Lesson #6: I have to know exactly where I am going and the route I am taking before I go. When you have half of your vision missing and you are driving while using various compensation strategies, it does not serve you well to also be looking for landmarks and such. It just doesn't work. Trust me on this one.

It's overwhelming how much freedom I have now! If I need cheese, I can just go to the grocery store. I can just decide that I am finished at work and come home. I can pick up Aidan when Jason has to go to a doctor's appointment. It's awesome!