Hi Guys!
I have been thinking. Here is what I have been thinking about.
Hubbies new job has him on 1st shift, where with the old job he was on 2nd shift. He was able to take me to any appointment or place I needed to go to when he was on 2nd shift, but I did not like him on 2nd shift because I would sleep all day and never get to see him, but maybe for 30 mins before he left to go to work. Plus, when he was on 2nd shift he was able to take/pick-up daughter from school before he went to work.
I have decided that when we get insurance again. I am going to go to a RD. Probably one 1 1/2hrs from where I live. BUT I have a problem hubby will not be able to take me to my appointments.
See I do not drive. I do not have and have never gotten my driver's license. I did take Driver's ED in high school made a high C in the class...lol. I think I did drive once or twice with my mommy in the car on back roads, but I have never really drove with 2 kids.
I was thinking I would get my driver's license that way I can take myself to RD appointments and take/pick-up daughter from school.
I also have more problems about driving. I cannot turn the ignition far enough to start the car. My neck only turns so far to the back and I am very short...lol. Oh and I have kind of a fear of other drivers. I close my eyes when I think a car is going to turn in front of, cross in front, pull out in front of, or even stop in front of us. I was in a wreck with my high school boyfriend, no other cars involved, and every since then I have had that fear. I have gotten better about not closing my eyes, but I usually resort to tensing up and making noises lol.
Anyways, I was just wanted to know what ya'll thought of my idea.
Hm, Well hun it sucks that all that shift changin has got ya without a ride now. Here in chicago they offer public transportation for people with disabilities. They come and pick you up at your house and drop you off where ever you need to go. For the same price as public transportation, which here is about 2bucks. So you might want to take a look to see what services are available in your area and what you qualify for. I hope you get everything taken care of. *hugs*Joonie; do you think once you start seeing an RD and get on proper medications this will help you physically be able to do more? Like turning the ignition for instance? I know you've had RA since you were a child, so maybe you have so much damage even proper medication will not help? Just curious on that. I know when I was first dignosised years ago task such as turning the car on was a chore; but no so much now with all these medications!! (Whether that's good or bad I'm not sure;)
Driving is much easier than the test makes it seem to be. Probable a portion of us would fail the test if we had to take it over again today...but once you've done it, it's done. If my 15 year old son can do it I have no doubt you can do it too. We're behind you Joonie....you can do it!!
For sure you can do it!! Once you get your license, you'll wonder how u got along without it!
I also have problems with starting the car and turning my head. On those days when it's really bad I just don't drive.
Kelly
Hi Joonie,
I agreee with kelly, you'll feel such a sense of accomplishment and freedom when you get your license
Hope your day is a good one!!
Getting your driver's liscense will help you feel more independent, and you will be able to get about. If you don't get your liscense before going to see an rd I think Jealousy's suggestion is a good one. Check and see if there is tranportation for people with disabilities, like she said they will pick you up right at the house take you to your apointment and bring you back home. And As Lovie said they make it sound so terrible but the test is not hard at all and the driving test is really easy. You can get books at the office of motor vehicles that will have stuff in it and will go over things with you before you take the written test. Just read the booklets and you should have no problem. I didn't get my liscense until I was 26 because I was nervous about the other drivers now I have no problems, unless my husband is driving,THEN I PANIC!!!!!! lololololol
xoxox meme I was getting into my pick up today and thought about what you said joonie, about turning the key in the ignition... problem solved! Install a remote car starter... then you just push a button and the car starts.. nice in the winter too!!! I think they come with theft protection too!!! Aftrer you get your license, take a defensive driving course.. will make you more confident!!!! Good sideview mirrors are the answer for people with neck problems. It works for me and I have all levels of my neck fused except for one. Drive on! Barb
Lovie - I do not think if I get better meds if I will be able to turn the ignition. Back when I was in 8th grade a girl ran into me and fractured my right wrist. I wore a splint for months, but now I can not move my wrist but only so far and I can not twist it at all. It is kinda like it is fused to that position. Unicorn - I have thought about the push button starter. But hubby knew this guy from his old job that had one of those and you still have to turn the ignition to "on" before you shifted out of park, otherwise it was cut off. Meme - Yes, I guess that is what you call it "PANIC". I do a lot of that unless Iam in the back seat...lol. I hate to ride with hubby. He relies on his brakes WAY TOO MUCH!! And then what gets me is he knows his brake pads need to be replaced!!! But yet again he is the only way for me to get where I need to go. I just panic and he starts to drive a lil better...lol. Dyna - Mirrors huh? Well, I will ask hubby about that. To the rest that replied THANK YOU for your encourgments, But do you really think you would like a Scaredy-Cat that panics driving on the same roads as you?
Oh, and there is one more problem. We only have 1 car. I would have to have my own car, but one I can actually drive. The one we have now is BIG, Mercury Sable 2002. And we still owe too much on it to get rid of it. And if we get another car, I would have to get a job to pay for it, plus the insurance. It would not have really been too BIG of a problem if hubby had the job he got fired from, he made enough for to pay probably both, and now we are just getting by paying this car payment & insurance. Oh, the problems! Maybe when I am 55 I will get a driver's lisence...lol. Insurnace will be lower then...lol.
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