Learning to Drive

Most people thought that I couldn’t or shouldn’t

By Timothy Redd
February 5th is a day that I won’t soon forget. It’s the day I became a licensed driver. Learning to drive has been a goal of mine for many years. I really never had anyone to help me and most thought that I couldn’t or shouldn’t. As people with disabilities we all know how limited our life experiences can be because of the lack of good transportation options.

Trina Weathers-Boyce, my TN Vocational Rehabilitation counselor connected me with Nikki Simmons of Driving Independence. Driving Independence is an independently owned Occupational Therapy clinic focusing on driver rehabilitation.

Driving Independence offers driving evaluations, and driver training. They also provide vehicle and equipment fitting. The owner and Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) and Occupational Therapist since 1999, Nikki Simmons has experience in acute care, rehabilitation, outpatient, pediatrics and home health.  She has specialized in spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and geriatrics.

Nikki is a member of The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT), and National Mobility Equipment Dealer Association (NMEDA).

Nikki met me and we went over the driver’s manual. She helped me prepare and took me to take my written exam. We met weekly sometimes twice a week after I got my drivers learner permit.

Nikki assured me that I could drive and that I would be fine. The first day I got on the road it was actually at night. I was terrified but I pressed through my fears and listened to what she said and indeed I learned to drive.

My first attempt at the road test was not the best and I failed. I worked a little more, passed and I got my license.
I have to say I am so proud of myself. I am working now to get my first car and I am so excited because it will finally make me totally independent. Thankfully I am employed and I am able to live on my own. 

As a person with a disability it’s easy to give up on goals and dreams if we don’t have support, because of such low expectations placed on us by society. I really wish I had done this earlier, but, at 37 it has happened for me and I am so ready to go and come as I choose without waiting on a ride.

People have asked me: “What is the rush to get a car?”

My whole life has been filled with waiting and I don’t want to have to wait on someone to come and take me where I want to go. Uber and MATAplus are my main modes of transportation, while I’m thankful for the services they provide I’m even more excited about a new level of freedom.

Driving can make the coolest person anxious because many drivers don’t use signals, run red lights, cut you off in traffic, and many won’t even let you over. I have learned to just pay attention and not follow too closely in order to have a better response time for all the uncertainties on the road.

While it is a little scary it’s also exhilarating. If driving is a goal of yours I would encourage you to reach out to your VR counselor, currently there is a program that will be pay for the driving instructions. To learn more you may also reach out to Nikki Simmons via phone at (901) 734-7472 or email nsimmons@drivingindependence.com.