One of the things I love most about my job is that I can make a difference in the lives of my clients. I recently completed a driver assessment with a young female client (let's call her Sarah) who had sustained a severe injury to her dominant arm, following a motor vehicle accident. A physical injury can not only impacts on your ability to function in daily life but can also adversely impact your mental health too. There can be a loss of important life roles or the inability to do something in the way you did before. This was definitely the case for Sarah.
Sarah had been struggling with driving for over two years and it was not until recently she was referred for an occupational therapy driver assessment. Imagine trying to drive using only one hand… how would you hold, turn and control the steering wheel, put the indicators, windscreen wipers or headlights on, put your windows up or down, all the while keeping your only functioning hand on the steering wheel. When Sarah described to me how she had been managing to drive I was astounded. It was extremely difficult and very unsafe. In actual fact, Sarah should not have been driving at all. But it doesn’t have to be like that.
When I took Sarah on road for the practical component of her occupational therapy driver assessment, it was in a vehicle fitted with a spinner knob and remote keypad to enable one handed control of indicators, windscreen wipers and headlights. The joy Sarah expressed at being able to drive safely again was absolutely priceless.
I have been able to help Sarah regain some of her independence. I will never forget the smile on her face after Sarah finished the assessment, knowing she was able to drive safely again. It is times like these that help to remind me of why I do what I do.
Do you know someone who would benefit from this type of assessment?