Last Tuesday, I met for an exam with my neuro opthamologist. The good news is that my vision remains stable and my next exam will be in a year. The bad news is that a consequence of the nystagmus which occurred after my brain injury is I will not drive again. I have not successfully driven in almost 4 years and I had researched nystagmus on the internet and learned that very few people can drive with this condition. However, I did not want to accept the finality of this limitation. I am grateful to God for the many blessings in my life and I will deal with this challenge.
I'm sorry you can't drive yet, Susan, but I like your optimism, and hope that one day you can. I am glad that your vision is stable. Thanks for letting us know.
Thanks for the reply, dancermom.
Hi Susan, Sorry to hear this news, But like myself I guess you learn that driving is more of a luxury, and not a need to have. Well sorry this is the case in the UK where we have "good" public service with trains and busses (not nice but they get you places) . Its only been a year for me so far and I'm just waiting on the drivers board reviewing my case again and I think I will be back driving in the next few months. My Father takes me to work as his work is close to mine and to the shops if I need anything, So its like having my own driver :) lol , But I also get around via the public services or cabs if I need to. Driving is a nice to have for me now but not a need to have so I hope you take something positive from this post :) , Take care and all that matters is your health :) , Speak to you soon :)
oh and p.s. the weather here is rubbish so I need to drive even more so during these months lol ! :(
Thanks so much for the reply, Martin, and all the information about your situation there. I have thought a lot about my news and realized if the situation were reversed and my husband could not drive, then I would tell him that I would take care of the driving. I guess this condition happened to me because he is the calmer driver ... lol. Also, we have friends whose 31 year old daughter is dying of brain cancer. She has a devoted husband and they are parents of a 3 year old. I am certain that if her husband was given the choice of a living wife who could not drive versus his reality, he would choose the first option. Best wishes to your wonderful family.
Hi Susan, Thanks and I agree :) , Its taken me a short time to realise that driving may limit my ability to travel or to go to places, But its not a real issue as I'm still able to get my shopping and now I get to walk my oldest boy to school each day instead of driving for 5 mins we have a nice 20 min walk :) so I see benefits also, I even said that when I can drive again which will be very soon I think, I will still walk him to school on the dry days, But use the car during the rain :) . Take care and maybe its better to let the man drive anyway ? heheheheheh only joking :)
Sorry to hear it, Susan. It’s never easy dealing with the aftermath of an AVM, but I commend you for being grateful for the blessings you do have. You don’t have to look very far to see someone worse off than you, as evidenced by your friends with the 31 year old daughter with a 3 year old and husband. You’ll all be in my thoughts and prayers, Susan.
Thanks, Tim, and as always I am just dealing. Really, I am so grateful for my husband; he aced the wedding vows too just like your Jennifer!
It's been 7 years for me Susan and I won't ever drive again. It is frustrating, the isolation it can cause. I always feel so bad for my fabulous husband. He works all day just to come home and have to drive me somewhere or always having to drive our kids to various sporting events. He never complains though. I guess like you and Martin he realizes he'd rather have me, warts and all, than not!
Thanks for the reply, Trish, and your warts are fabulous ... lol.
Trish, Absolutely. I always say we all should know how lucky and fortunate we all are for having such a serious illness with very serious treatments and then just to be able to gather together here online is a great feat :) . Driving is a "nice to have" but not a "need to have" and some times it takes us a while to realise just how lucky we are to be as well as we are. Take care all and I will speak to you soon Susan :)
Sorry for the news about not driving again, but the roads are kind of crazy out there:). Great news though about you vision remaining stable. Always love your positivity Susan, so thanks for posting.
Hi Debra, my west coast friend, thanks for the reply and your message was helpful for I am still reeling from the news.
Susan, Yes you will deal with this, your great attitude towards life will carry you far. The road blocks given to you are frustrating - I know. Keep the blessings in the fore front of your mind and the negative .... far to the back. Thinking of you
Hi Rancher, thank you for the message and I drew much inspiration from your recent posting as I see many other members were supported by your words.
I lost half of my vision got most of it back using a system called “nova vision” from Germany. I then joined a prism program in Boston which gave me the legal requirements. I’m now taking driving lessons. Four years is a hell of a long time but I’m nearly there. Good luck. PM me for more details. Good luck. Joel.
I lost half of my vision got most of it back using a system called “nova vision” from Germany. I then joined a prism program in Boston which gave me the legal requirements. I’m now taking driving lessons. Four years is a hell of a long time but I’m nearly there. Good luck. PM me for more details. Good luck. Joel.
It looks like NovaVision is available in the US, too, Joel. What does it entail? If you discuss it on the forum, it might help additional members.
You can find nova vision online it’s a German based company. I joined a program using prisms in Boston this can also be found online.