Freedom to Drive

The very first day I was eligible, I rolled in to take my Learner’s License test. I was buzzing with nerves — and sure enough, I failed. That sting of disappointment didn’t last long though. It lit a fire in me. I turned to my Grandma and said, “We’re going back.” That same afternoon, I retook the test… and passed.

But passing was just the beginning.

It wasn’t until my first year at Tech that the reality of having a license hit me. I wasn’t living at home anymore, and between my flat and campus loomed a steep, unforgiving hill. On bad days, I’d have to tackle it three times — rain or shine. Calling a taxi or mobility van felt pointless for a trip that would’ve been a breeze on flat ground. I was exhausted, frustrated, and ready for change.

I knew I needed to start driving. But figuring out how? That was a whole other challenge.

Information was scarce. CCS pointed me toward a specialist OT for an assessment, and gave me a few leads on instructors who might work with me. They even had a car I could rent. But this wasn’t going to be a “few lessons and done” kind of journey. I needed serious practice. And as a broke student, I also needed help getting a car.

I searched endlessly for a way to make it happen. Nothing clicked — until a chance encounter with a woman from what’s now LIFE Unlimited. I wish I remembered her name. She was calm, clear, and kind. She laid out the steps I needed to take and pointed me toward funding that could help me buy my first car.

With a mix of excitement and fear, I jumped through the hoops. I got assessed. I filled out forms. And sooner than I expected, I was actually shopping for a car.

Choosing that car? That’s a whole story in itself. Let’s just say I leaned heavily on the wisdom of older, more experienced heads.

Once the car was mine, hand controls and a hoist were fitted. And then came the real challenge: learning to drive it. Thankfully, my Aunt stepped up. She gave me her time, her patience, and her belief. With her help — and a few lessons from a professional instructor — I passed my restricted license. Eventually, I earned my full.

But passing that restricted test? That was the moment everything changed. It cracked open a world of possibility. It gave me independence. And for the first time, I felt truly free.

Driving toward freedom

“The road ahead was mine to take.”