Wings clipped Not being able to drive
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From: Covington WA, USA
Originally Posted by valentine,May 21 2009, 12:52 PM
^^ It was the end for my Dad when he lost his ability to drive. He only lived a short time after that. He did NOT need to be on the highway and we all breathed a sigh of relief when he surrendered his license. I hope I'm wise enough to let mine go when I can no longer drive properly. One of my dearest friends who is now 71 yrs old surrendered hers voluntarily because she found herself doing what she terms as "stupid" things (one of which was going the wrong way on a one way street). I laud her decision, but feel sad that she has become old before her time. 
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMeE9NAh60I [/media]
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From: Covington WA, USA
Originally Posted by RC - Ryder,May 21 2009, 01:59 PM
I'll have to take my Dad's car keys and 38 cal away at the same time.
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From: Smalltown
In reality, I'm not sure my mom should be driving. I'm not sure she is a danger, but she's not the best driver.
She drives too slow at times. She drives a Nissan Sentra, but from the way she makes right hand turns, one would think she's driving a tractor trailer. She seems to stop kind of late at the stop signs. She had a fender bender a couple of years ago and almost stopped driving then.
She is very social. belongs to clubs, goes to bingo, does nbot drive at night and pretty much stays local. I fear the same thing that happened to Val's Dad would happen to her if she hung up her keys.
She drives too slow at times. She drives a Nissan Sentra, but from the way she makes right hand turns, one would think she's driving a tractor trailer. She seems to stop kind of late at the stop signs. She had a fender bender a couple of years ago and almost stopped driving then.
She is very social. belongs to clubs, goes to bingo, does nbot drive at night and pretty much stays local. I fear the same thing that happened to Val's Dad would happen to her if she hung up her keys.
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From: The (S)Low Country
My mother will give up driving when we pull her keys out of her cold dead hands. Seriously, she is a very good driver and only drives in town where the maximum speed limit is 35. She has good reflexes and good vision, so I feel she is perfectly capable of driving at the ripe old age of 81. I should be so lucky.
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From: Covington WA, USA
Originally Posted by Lainey,May 21 2009, 02:30 PM
I fear the same thing that happened to Val's Dad would happen to her if she hung up her keys.
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From: Scottsdale
We pulled my mom's keys several years ago. She was driving her car home from the shop being followed by my nephew. When they got home, he pulled my brother (his dad) aside and said that mom had stopped 3 times on the interstate.
That sealed the deal - her keys were gone after that. She griped about it, but we were firm.
That sealed the deal - her keys were gone after that. She griped about it, but we were firm.
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From: Mid-Atlantic
Friends of ours had to make a decision about her mother. She is a very independent woman and taking her car away was hard. But they reasoned that possibly having to live with the thought of her harming someone with her car, while they knew she should not be driving would be even harder to live with.
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From: bolton
Originally Posted by Kyras,May 21 2009, 01:53 PM
I'm glad you understand me, Lainey. ((HUG))
On a similar note, of failing to buck up, I talked to my sister, Nancy, in Colorado, a couple of days ago. She had full knee replacement surgery a month ago. She wasn't really ready to have it done in the first place and then, she got the flu, last week. She said she was a
bawling mess. Couldn't stop. She asked me if I ever feel that way. Well, not right now, as I see the light getting pretty bright in my own tunnel, but hell yes, about a month ago! Sometimes, it's hard to have faith and keep your hopes up. My Jerry saves me at those times. 
Oh, and Vintage does a good job of making me feel better, too.
On a similar note, of failing to buck up, I talked to my sister, Nancy, in Colorado, a couple of days ago. She had full knee replacement surgery a month ago. She wasn't really ready to have it done in the first place and then, she got the flu, last week. She said she was a
bawling mess. Couldn't stop. She asked me if I ever feel that way. Well, not right now, as I see the light getting pretty bright in my own tunnel, but hell yes, about a month ago! Sometimes, it's hard to have faith and keep your hopes up. My Jerry saves me at those times. Oh, and Vintage does a good job of making me feel better, too.I know I struggled with it all last year.
You just can't get any of the big muscles groups working hard enough to generate endorphins to keep you happy.
then throw the flu, which is enough to make you want to die anyway, in on top of it is really tough.
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From: Smalltown
Originally Posted by boltonblue,May 22 2009, 06:49 AM
The physical immobility that comes with knee surgery is very depressing.
I know I struggled with it all last year.
You just can't get any of the big muscles groups working hard enough to generate endorphins to keep you happy.
I know I struggled with it all last year.
You just can't get any of the big muscles groups working hard enough to generate endorphins to keep you happy.
I've hear knee replacement surgery is a tough recovery. Rick has had a broken leg and shouder issues. We decided leg issues are much worse. Your mobility is so limited, and difficult with crutches. I can at least go for a walk, to clear the head.
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Leg/foot issues suck - let's face it. The loss of the ability to just stand on your own to feet and go isn't fun. After my surgery this December I was unable to drive for two months. The year before that I couldn't drive for a month. Both because of my ankle issue.
I didn't let it bother me because I knew it was temporary, I knew with each passing day things were healing and I was getting closer to getting my independance back. Sure, during that period things were frustrating - like not being able to make even a sandwhich and carry it on a plate into the living room so I could watch TV - I was forced to get creative.
I just kept reminding myself that after all this inconvenience things would be better. I would eventually be able to walk without the pain I had for the past several years. So dealing with the short term issues of not being able to drive, etc. wasn't such a big deal. I knew in the end my day-to-day life after the healing would be better.
I didn't let it bother me because I knew it was temporary, I knew with each passing day things were healing and I was getting closer to getting my independance back. Sure, during that period things were frustrating - like not being able to make even a sandwhich and carry it on a plate into the living room so I could watch TV - I was forced to get creative.
I just kept reminding myself that after all this inconvenience things would be better. I would eventually be able to walk without the pain I had for the past several years. So dealing with the short term issues of not being able to drive, etc. wasn't such a big deal. I knew in the end my day-to-day life after the healing would be better.