I’m driving again! When I began the second round of outpatient therapy back in February, its primary focus was to get me driving again. So I worked on foot coordination and brake reaction time skills, visual tasks including my divided attention, whether I could stabilize with my right hand when my left hand was off the wheel (I could not), a variety of cognitive test from speech and neuropsych about how I would make decisions for the best way to get from point A to point B and so on and so forth.

Then, I was referred to the driving program at Craig. I took a course at the end of April sort of like “behind the wheel.” My driving instructor, who is an OT, and I selected a steering knob for me based on my hand size, my preference for shape, and what controls I needed. I can still  drive with my right foot (thank you, God) but I need to drive with my left hand exclusively so my turn signals, my wipers, my horn, and my brights are all on the steering device by a couple of switches that can be turned off or on.

I began driving just on the neighborhoods around Craig hospital and then my OT driving instructor had me go out further and further away from Craig toward busier roads and finally the highway. I was doing dual visual tasks - calling out what pedestrians I saw to which side,  calling out the speed limit, etc. I did seven hours of driving in total over two days. After I passed the driving course, it was time to get the steering device fabricated for me according to what specifications the OT wrote out. In the meantime, I had to go to the DMV with the letter from the rehab doctor saying saying I could safely drive with a steering device. It took about a month to get my steering device in from the manufacturer and then a week later, I had it installed from a mobility company. It’s controlled by radio frequency into my little Subaru.  I have been driving for about 3 weeks now. Surprisingly, my left arm fatigues in like 30 minutes, because I can’t take my hand off my steering device, so I have limited myself to driving under an hour. But it’s wonderful to have my freedom back!

As for the rest of my therapies, PT has discharged me because she said,

“I don’t get very many high-level clients  that have suffered from a brain injury or stroke like you, that are working on skipping and running and balancing on a paddle-board!” I’m also discharged from speech and OT but I have some form of homework that I do everyday. Most recovery for a stroke happens within the first year, but I am still hopeful for the nerves to regrow in my right hand, especially for releasing my grasp. So, Keep praying for my right hand!

Once again, thank you especially those who have driven me and my kids places over the last year. Your service to our family means the world. And thank you to everyone who contributed to the go fund me for getting my steering device.

-Johanna