By Karen Keller Capuciati

So Mom wants to drive again.  She started talking about it some 4 months after her stroke, but it hasn’t been an easy fix.

Mom’s convinced that getting back behind the wheel of her car is a fundamental part of her returning to a normal life, and it’s hard to disagree with that idea.  Not only does the lack of driving mean a loss of independence for her, but Mom doesn’t want to let the stroke become the dominant issue in her life.

The problem, though, is that, while not physically incapacitated, Mom’s stroke did leave her with certain aphasic difficulties that interfere with her ability to drive safely.  Quick decision-making is one area that still gives her trouble, particularly in the face of multiple stimuli or any other area that requires prompt number and letter recognition (street signs, speed limits, etc.).

So we were faced with the question of how to proceed.  We were referred by Mom’s physiatrist (a term for rehabilitation physician) to a driving program where we met Desiree Lanford, a caring and knowledgeable young woman who brings an especially effective combination of skills – as both a driving rehabilitation specialist and an occupational therapist – to this type of situation.