Dependent no more

Mid February 2015, I had a spectacular physical and mental breakdown. This thrust me into the world of constant rehab to recover the functional movement in the left side of my body. In addition to that I also started rehab for my brain.

The other major impact that this had on my life was that instead of caring for everyone else and being the one that others depended on. I became the person that required caring for and I needed to depend on others for everything. For what I can work out this meant eating, drinking, showering, dressing, thinking, processing you name it I needed help with it.

What this meant for me in practical terms was that I had my drivers licence suspended. So I have been dependent on everyone friends and family for so many things but most of all to get out and about I needed others to help me. I live in an area where public transport is less than ordinary. I am used to trains and can’t read a bus timetable to save myself!

I discovered in the process that I needed to go through to get my licence re-instated that there is in fact a HUGE list of physical and mental ailments that could precluded you from holding an unconditional licence in NSW at least. I bet if I asked most people would know that epilepsy is an automatic from day of diagnosis until you are 6mth seizure free. So each seizure means the count starts again.  And pretty much everyone is aware of the older driver regulations that once you get to a certain age then you require annual medicals and after 80 (I think) you require annual testing.

What I didn’t know is how many other conditions you are legally required to notify the RMS (in NSW) about and they then determine if you require a specialist letter or medical or even actual assessment to hold a licence.  Some of these conditions are:

  • Blackouts (so if you are prone to fainting!) these can also be called syncopes
  • A HUGE list of cardiovascular diseases
  • Diabetes!!! Your bsl needs to be above 5 to drive.
  • Hearing loss and deafness
  • Musculoskeletal (so these typically included height, physical issues that might require vehicle modification)
  • Neurological (could be anything epilepsy, parkinson’s, MS, dementia etc)
  • Psychiatric disorders (including anxiety, PTSD, Depression, Bipolar and personality disorders!)
  • Sleep disorders (I guess it is helpful to not fall asleep while driving)
  • Substance misuse (seems obvious but if you are say on methadone to get off heroin you shouldn’t drive!)
  • And lastly, Vision issues (again I am figuring it is pretty helpful to be able to see when driving.)

Some of these conditions make perfect sense to me. But honestly when you drill down and read the information I actually wonder if anyone should be on the road and if in fact that everyone should be required to have a medical every time they renew their licence.

The long and the short of it all is that yesterday after two trips to the doctor and two trips to the RMS I was given a conditional unconditional licence. Which means that I will require a medical every year to maintain my licence. Edited to add It is really important that if you have any condition that might fall in the above categories that you talk to you drs. There are quite serious potential implications if you don’t disclose medical conditions and drive without a medical clearance to do so. Sure it is a pain in the arse process to go through and I doubt you will be without a licence for nearly 2yrs like me but it could be worse if you drive and don’t declare it. Here is the fitness-to-drive document where you can get more detailed information. It might not be all doom and gloom.

I drove the very tiny 1km home from the RMS and it scared me silly. So I am thinking that while I have the approval to drive the confidence to drive is another thing all together. Plus I am almost at the point where I am certainly not enjoying walking but I do know that it does me good. So for now I have the official say so that I can drive but I am not sure how long it will be before I do it on any regular kind of basis. Though it does absolutely mean that I am dependent no more!

ring on my thumb is a letter ring from UberKate it means so much to me.
Driving again Concentrating hard.
Paper Licence who knew??!

Happy weekend everyone

Cat xoxo 

Linking with Karin, Sammie & Paula for the Ultimate Rabbit Hole

Ring on my thumb is a specially designed for me Letter Ring by Kate from Uberkate

12 thoughts on “Dependent no more”

  2. badmum74 says:
    Reply

    Good on you, slow and steady wins the race and you should be proud at how far you have come.

    I’ve read your last two posts, so many thoughts but I’ve had so little time that I haven’t wanted to leave some flippant comment. But I’ve dealt with a lot of mental health issues both personally and in the family and it’s just huge. And despite hearing so much about it in the media and everywhere the reality is just so unimaginable. And I think it’s really important to remember that we’re all human and are doing our best. And I really admire your openness in writing about it. I shared a couple of posts on my old blog but even sharing it felt weird.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Cat@Life through the haze says:
      Reply

      Thanks Ana. And thank you for taking the time to reply thoughtfully. The reality of mental health and the media portrayal is so vastly different. It is one thing to raise awareness and reduce the stigma but what are we going to do help all the people who now come forward because they have been living with the shame of mental illness for so long. The system is already broken! Maybe you will find some of my prompts in my linkups interesting and be able to open up there xoxox

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Mara says:
    Reply

    Good news but I think you already know to take it slow.
    The more you drive the more confident you will get.

    Interesting that you have to have a yearly check. My FIL has macular degeneration in both his eyes and over 80 yet he is still driving, with the only condition being not night time. I’m surprised he doesn’t have to do a yearly check.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Cat@Life through the haze says:
      Reply

      He has a conditional licence. I am surprised that he doesn’t need to have an annual medical. He probably does have to get an annual optometrist appointment? My Aunty has macular too … A neighbour of my parents was basically blind from macular and drove pretty much up to the day she died!

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