My American chauffeur has left. Now, how do I drive?

Apr 15, 2013

driving after stroke

It’s been a lot easier in the last two weeks with having my ‘big’ little brother around to help. When he heard I wasn’t well he flew all the way over from America to see how I was and help out.  He had a stroke when he was younger so he knows how limiting it can be.  But thankfully I wasn’t affected as badly as he was.  I am just struggling to stay awake and understand what people are saying.

He’s been helping me go to appointments. I’m not allowed to drive for a month. I haven’t had to hand in my licence to the DVLA but the doctor has said ‘tell your insurance, the DVLA and don’t drive for a month’.  I don’t think I could stay awake long enough!

Here’s a page I found for the UK with info on what to do regarding driving after stroke:

https://www.gov.uk/stroke-and-driving

This is a great leaflet from the Stroke Association which contains more info:

http://www.stroke.org.uk/sites/default/files/F02_Driving%20after%20stroke.pdf

I think the best thing is find information online for your own country’s regulations, it seems they are all different. For example,

http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20110222/who-can-drive-after-a-stroke

 

Not only could I not stay awake long enough to drive but I am also struggling to walk any distance. My friends are still looking after my dog, Zeus, because I would really struggle to walk him. Wow, am I grateful for wonderful friends?  I think there is a charity who would come in and walk Zeus for me if I needed it but he is happy where he is with his friends.

So my Bro is away back to America and I have realised that, not only was he driving me around but, he was also helping me work out what was being said in conversations. I didn’t realise how much he was sitting with me and talking me through things that had been said and giving me time understand.