Re: My Driving Story: hope for people in Texas

Comments:
: : : Last April I came to NOAH looking for help on driving in Texas. I was 14 about to turn 15, and al my friends talked about was drivers ed. Everyone asked me if i was signing up, and I was sometimes embarassed to answer. Well, I came here looking for help and found some. I got several responses, one directing me to the University of Houston Low Vision Center, and Dr. Jose. : : In April my parents took me to my local doctor (Dr. Mack) in Tyler, TX. He flat out told me I wouldnt' drive with 20/200 in Texas, and made me very upset. I was determined that I would find a way. : : Then I heard about this clinic in Houston, first we talked to the Texas Comission for the Blind, and were accepted into the program. They payed for an initial visit to the low vision clinic in Houston. At my initial visit I had a "Low Vision Exam" where they first ask you what you want to do better (I choose most important driving, and secondly seeing the chalkboard in class) After running an hour or so of tests they prescribed me a pair of Italian reading glasses (7x) and a 1.5 handheld telescope that i use in class. At first i was embarassed to use these but soon got over it because they helped me so much (and i knew if i didnt wear them my doctor woudl find out and i wouldnt be driving anytime soon) Texas Comission for the Blind payed ofr the visit but not the telescope and glasses (but i think they will for lower income famalies but i cant promise that.) : : My initial exam was in July. My second visit was in the first of October. Now since most of my friends have their permits i was getting excited. My second exam was in September. We ran some of the tests again and Dr. Jose looked at the journal i had to keep about how i liked the telescope, what was good, bad etc... : : He was pleased that i had used my 2 devices, and decided that it was time to order BiOptics (what i will be driving with!!! He todl me once they came in i would wear them in the car when my parents drove and practice reading road signs, and go back in 3 weeks when he will run me through a "maze" where i use the BiOptics and sign the waver to keep me from taking the eye test for the state for my permit AND liscense. It is at that point that he releases me to a "driver's rehabilitation" driving school, the school is in Houston and will teach me to drive with my BiOptics. : : I have an appointment next week to pick up my BiOptics, i turn 15 in december and will take the classroom part of drivers ed in december as well ill have my permit a week after i turn 15 :-) : : I will go to the driving school in HOuston next summer andf stay with an aunt and uncle, the state requires 20 horus (i think) of behidn the wheel spread over a minimum of 14 days. : : After the driving school im set free, when i turn 16 i will go to houston and take my drivers test with a state trooper, and then they will give me my liscense. : : they couldnt tell me whether or not i will have restrictions or not, they say there is no consistancy in the DPS, its possible that all i will have is the "devicemust be worn" but theres a good chance i will be restricted to daytime driving until im 18, at which point i go back to houston, show them my good driving record, and they give me another behidn the wheel test and remove the restriction : : sounds easy but its work, im halfway through almost, i got accepted and all now i just have to put the effort in next summer, im excited and this just proves that there is hope in Texas. : : Good luck, : : Blake : : Dear Blake, : I am glad to hear you had the opportunity to be examined and benefit from the clinical expertise and other ancillary low vision services offered by Dr. Jose, O.D.and his staff. : If interested, forward a standard mailing address to me and I will provide you with some preliminary low vision driver education training materials that will be of some assistance to you in your quest for driver licensure. : If interested, I will also share some names of other low vision consumers in TX who are or may have been in the same situaton as you and may be interested in talking to you as well. : : Cordially, : : Chuck Huss, C.O.M.S. : chuckh@mail.drs.state.wv.us : WV Rehabilitation Center : P.O. Box 1004 : Barron Drive : Institute, WV 25112 : TEL: 304-766-4803 : FAX: 304-766-4816

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