I am writing this to assist other butterflies by giving them some knowledge from my journey and for everyone else to learn what I learned from driving training and what it means to me to be a successful driver living with Turner Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disability.
I have always wanted to see if I could drive. My motto had been "I just need to know for sure... if I can't drive that's fine but I need to know for sure." Some employment challenges lead me to Vocational Rehabilitation through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. This was a VERY hard decision for me to make because I don't like being seen as having a disability. I have a medical condition which leads to challenges. Turner Syndrome is not a disability in and of itself although some of the challenges that come with it can cause disabilities.
Anyway, to make a long story short, my vendor through Opportunities with Ohioans with Disabilities has a Driving School as part of its services. This meant that ALL of my lessons were paid for by the state. They also helped me prepare for and take my written test so I could get my temps. I found out that I had to have a job for this and I am so grateful for my job at Wendy's because otherwise I would not have been eligible for this service. Not only did they pay for driving school but they payed for Pharmacy School as well!
Now for the lessons! It took a major commitment of time! I would mostly do my lessons on Sunday afternoons but also sometimes on Saturdays and before work. I thought college was emotionally challenging but learning to drive was a lot harder. I had to face so many challenges related to my mental health with driving... I had to learn to believe in myself, learn how to control my anxiety, and utilize all my strength when I didn't pass the first two times to not give up. My parents would have to give me confidence when I didn't have any. My brothers and sisters-in-laws and even my little nephew also supported me. I remember driving Zachary (with a licensed driver and permission from his parents) and he said, "You did great!"
Towards the end of my driving school journey, I learned that I could not get with my license without God taking the wheel on my behalf. I was too weak and just didn't feel like I could do it! To bring some perspective- driving is the hardest thing for ladies with Turner Syndrome. This is because of Nonverbal Learning Disability which 90% of us have. Related to driving, NLD causes us to have visual-spatial challenges as well issues with depth perception. To get my license, I literally had to not only not listen to the people who said I couldn't do it but I also had to overcome the challenges caused by Nonverbal Learning Disability. It is a literally a battle!!!!
To end, I did it!!! I prayed before every test and asked God to take the wheel and on the third time, I PASSED and got my Driver's license!! Not only did I pass, but I passed PERFECT on both maneuvering and driving!! This is what a butterfly does!!!! We don't settle!!! My instructor sent me the results with the score, and I will keep it forever!!!
So, what is next for this butterfly? I am still working at Wendy's while in Pharmacy School for some source of income. After Pharmacy School, I will go back to the vendor who will help me find a job in Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Tech and once I land a job, I will have Job Coach the first 3 months that will work with me and the employer. They will then phase out but can come back if needed. Sometimes, I doubt myself there but then I remember what battle I just won and it motivates me to not give up!
So many things had to fall into place, and in God's time it happened! It really happened!!! Did it hurt? YES! Was there frustration and tears? ABSOULTETLY! The take-away is fight but fight with God on your side. I didn't until I made it to the testing period. It was then, I realized I couldn't do it on my own. Don't settle for what people say you can't do! Set out to prove them wrong! If it is God's will- you WILL prove them!!!
