Re: Driving/Janice

[Guest guest]

I just read your note on the list.

My husband Ralph gave up his drivers license after many collisions

caused by bad vision and bad reflexes. The final straw was when he

wrecked my new '96 mini van on his way to his office. Up until then he

was able to get out of the expense and worry of accidents.

Fortunately no one was ever injured but the vehicle repair list was

terrific.

I am so glad he was able to finally realize the danger he was putting

other drivers into when he was on the road.

I for one did not enjoy riding in the gutter when he could not judge the

distance and width of the roads ahead of us.

He occasionally tried to put the car in and out of the garage for me or

just for himself. That was not a good idea either. It made lots of bad

paint marks on the door facings and the car.

Double vision and bad reflexes were terrible. He also had the forward

bend in his neck so he had to adjust his seat so he could see over the

dash. That meant he was further back from everything that was necessary

to a good driver.

Believe me, not driving is a very small sacrifice compared with taking a

loved one or a stranger out of this world in an accident or worse.

I had to do the driving but he always could tell me the directions to

anywhere, because he was all over this area of the state.

When he turned in his license he was able to get a photo ID from the

state.

I know it was a great sacrifice for him to quit driving because, as you

say, his independence went along with it.

Grieve in losing the license, but feel good about doing the safe and

right thing in giving it up.

Barb in Texas, where the roads are wide but you still have to see who is

coming at you.

--

" I'll lean on you and you lean on me and we'll be okay. " Dave s