| 12/29/2008 7:23:02 AM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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vaegood
Harrisonburg, VA
age: 47 online now!
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The Memphis Center for
Independent Living
You might check out this site http://www.mcil.org/mcil/ They might be able to assist you. They should know about transportation anyway. I hope all goes well.
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| 12/29/2008 10:37:19 AM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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roxie6769
Franklin, MA
age: 54
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I havent driven in 8 years, I tried after my stroke which left me partially blind but was in a car accident and realized that I might hurt myself or someone else. Not worth it! I live in a small town with no taxis so I walk a lot as I am close to stores etc. I also have my grocieres delivered and I have a strong support system of friends and family who help me out with rides. I passed the eye exam at the RMV which is truly a surprise but I dont feel right about driving. I do get the urge now and then but talk myself out of it
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| 12/29/2008 12:31:15 PM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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tom421
Fairfield, IL
age: 60
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Thanks for the responses. Yeah, my mom always says I need to find a decent area of town that is within walking distance of a lot of things too. I guess in the long run that's what I need to be sure and do and then if I badly need to go further I guess I would have to pay whatever crazy prices taxi services now are.
And I have heard about transportation provided to disabled people also. I guess I should listen to my mom more because these are the main things she has said also. lol
The electric handicapped scooters work great if within even a long walk of where you need to be. I live in a smaller city & take mine all over town. With newer batteries, they will run 5 to 10 miles on a charge.
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| 12/30/2008 8:59:38 PM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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midnightgambler
Memphis, TN
age: 32
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True, but I am mainly just afraid due to crime rate ehre and also it doesn't come clsoe enough to where I can walk to a bus stop since I am in a suburb (not sure how close it does get).
Anyway thanks for all of the ideas. I really feel so trapped. Like the site linked to above says... it's not good to have your options taken away and be dependant on others. I feel like I can't even do anything on my own and I am not even remotely close to blind (just legally blind) and totally blind people are more independant than me because I feel so incapable of doing anything on my own and don't really know the answers to how to do it.
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| 1/2/2009 12:08:10 PM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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funnyguy054
Springfield, MO
age: 22
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i have the same problem..i cant legally drive because of an accident that happened when i was 3..now i feel trapped and have to rely on people to take me places..i dont like it, i wish there was something i could do. sometimes people make me feel as i am just using them, which it seems to be the case..because i cant drive myself.
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| 1/3/2009 11:08:50 AM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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ladysmommy
Denver, CO
age: 23
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It sucks a** not being able to drive! I can't drive due to a seizure disorder! And my friends will only do so much without complaining.
[Edited 1/3/2009 11:09:39 AM PST]
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| 1/4/2009 10:30:03 AM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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mgdriver
Elko, NV
age: 61
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have you checked into getting a guide dog? They are available for the legally, as well as the totally blind. If interested, I would look for a school that still uses German Shepherds instead of just golden retrievers. Just the presence of a GSD will deter most criminals, while they know a golden would just as likely hand them your wallet. A lab would be my second choice, as they do have some protective instincts. If I am not mistaken, vision assistance dogs are paid for by social service agencies, so you would just be out the daily care and feeding, which is tax deductible and often free if you look around.
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| 1/4/2009 10:14:02 PM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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midnightgambler
Memphis, TN
age: 32
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I don't know, I just felt like I didn't need one because I do see much better than it sounds. I guess everything is a legitimate option though.
By the way, tot he people who posted above about people acting annoyed to drive them or pretty much making it beyond clear they are doing you a favor.... people do that with me also and that's seriously pretty ridiculous for family or friends to do. You're supposed to help someone to help, not to be able to tell them you're doing them a favor or to complain about it. That annoys me also because sometimes even family acts annoyed if I want to go somewhere. I get depressed if I don't go places. I guess "usually" my parents will take me places though.
What's funny though is the rest of the family SAYS call them if I ever need to go somewhere, yet if I do ever call them for help (once per YEAR or less) they magically can't do it or dont offer when I hint I need a ride or want to go somewhere.
I've always figured it would be harder to date also because women would not want to be the ones driving. But I guess that's just the immature and young ones in most cases. Surely some wouldn't consider it a huge deal.
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| 1/10/2009 7:56:41 AM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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unctana
Grand Junction, CO
age: 57
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I can relate! I "started" loseing my eyesight (Due to some damn "Jungle virus" in S.E.A.), that yppk 20 years to "kick-in" (When I was 38!). It was "SUPPOSED TO" be terminal but it sure is takin' a hell of a lot of years! LOL
I "USED TO", fly, ride bikes, sail, teach rappelling, go camping, & WAS a cop (After years in the USAF!)! The "list" goes on & on of things I "YSED TO" love doing!
SADLY, once I COULD NO LONGER DRIVE.... I was prety mich SHUNNED! And THAT was when I "COULD HAVE" driven THAT day! (Part of this causes "FLASH OUT BLINDNESS" that is unpredicyable BEFOR the incident!)
NOW, like you, I can't get OUT to MEET other people to MAKE FRIENDS, to GET OUT! :}
BTW, I went to L.R. Polk Jr. High in.... (?) '65 - '66 while my Step-Dad was at Millington NAS!
I WISH I had an answer myself about "TRANSPORTATION" bur... I can still drive, (On a "GOOD DAY") but ONLY on "Private Property". I lived on a Ranch til a few years ago and MOST DAYS I drove the pickip arround. On "BAD DAYS" I'ld make several trips CARRYING tools on foot.
NOW I'm trapped in Colorado and .... *SHRUG( HOPEING I can meet SOMEONE here.
My your JOURNY get easier,
Steven - UncTanA
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| 1/14/2009 11:38:55 PM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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midnightgambler
Memphis, TN
age: 32
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That really sucks to have that situation. Has your vision been getting worse still over recent years?
Also how were you shunned when you couldn't drive? You mean as far as friends or people you were interested ind ating? I figured people would be mature enough to at least not care if someone can't drive.
My vision "supposedly" won't get worse. Hopefully they were right about that. So far it doesn't "seem" to be worse than it was at aany other point. I am definitely thankful for the vision I do have and I usually don't even feel like I have a disability because it doesn't seem so horrible to me.... or I guess I got used to living with it my whole life and everything.
But the not driving does drive me crazy. I want to have a normal life and meet people and it's frustrating after all these years to still not have many answes to how to best geta round.
I hope everything is going ok for you lately.
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| 1/17/2009 3:10:02 AM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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unctana
Grand Junction, CO
age: 57
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My older brother is a "PROFESSOR" (He never lets me forget that. LOL) pf Socialogy. Every year his undergrad students so the typical "studies" on "Humam Behavior", etc. ANYWAY, it seem that since the 1950a "AMERICANS" have consistantly ranked "CANCER" and "BLINDNESS" as #1 & #2 on a "standard" list of "WHAT DO YOU FEAR MOST" ("The Bomb" was almost always #3 from 1950s til "AIDS" in the 1970s!). Only in ... (?) YWO or three years was "AIDS" #2 with "BLINDNESS" #3!
Heck, until I were one, "I" was as ignorant (AND took as much for granted!), as MOST about "blindness' & "low vision".
Be very thankful you have "family" to speak a kind word about you. Perhaps someone might give YOU a chhance to LIVE!
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| 1/17/2009 7:45:56 PM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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mrfixit49
Buffalo, TX
age: 60
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i not drive either as i legsally blind but i have found that most people overlook it. it is all in ATTITUDE how you look at being blind i don't quit i have a tractor shop and do all the work myself. i have found that people respect me more and go out of there way to ask if i need anything john
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| 5/4/2009 6:44:38 PM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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arrowland
Warner Robins, GA
age: 42
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Sure, not driving is rough, and frustrating, in a car-driven society (pun intended), but everybody chooses where they live and what they live with. You have to decide what you are willing to deal with.
Its no different than any other adult, though. If you have children, and you want a good school for them, you either move into a good school district or pay for private education. If you want to live in the country, you don't have what the city offers. If you want to live in the city, you have neighbors close to you. Its all a tradeoff.
Since I don't drive, I'm selling my house and finding a place to live that is non-driver friendly and where I can still get to my job. Fortunately, I work for a large company, and am not limited to my local office, so I am thinking about moving to another city down the road.
Bottom line, I'm coming to terms with the fact that we all have choices. I'm learning to play the cards I have been dealt. I know you will, too. I'd hope to win the lottery and hire a driver, but I don't buy the ticket... I can't get to a local convenience store....its too far to walk!
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| 5/4/2009 7:02:32 PM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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lilmissala1957
Hartselle, AL
age: 51
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Well after I got where I could drive again my car tore up! I have had to use my sons to get to appts and so on the last couple of months. Am looking for another car. There have been days here I have nearly went out of my mind wanting out of here but I stayed pretty busy with appts the last 6 weeks so it hasn't been too bad. Now it is coming up on summer and I am confined to the house during the hot weather so look for me on here probably crying in my coffee or tea from shear boredom the next few months!
You know what is really the sad part? I live close enough to walk several places but because of an emotional issue I have I am terrified to walk! There are some houses down on the corner that I would have to pass by and the one just gives me the creeps even driving by it! Have no idea who lives there or what goes on there if anything it just gives me the creeps!
[Edited 5/4/2009 7:04:43 PM PST]
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| 5/5/2009 7:06:30 AM |
Not Being Able To Drive |
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foxy_woman_49
Omaha, NE
age: 50
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last night I took the examine online to drive through DMV.
WEll I passed it, 10 questions got 8 right..which did surprise me..however my eye sight isnt good enough now to drive w/o glasses and I cant find my glasses for over a yr now.
so I would fail the eye sight test
Also there would be no way in hell I could handle the traffic here.. I would freak out!!
I would fail the driving test
but at least I still know the laws of the road 
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