CFSDriving and chronic fatiguegoalsgoals for 2011Living with chronic fatigueLiving with chronic illnessmy hopes and dreams
Third Time Lucky
Two weeks ago today I attempted my driving test for the third time. This time round I took my instructor with me and I'm so glad that I did! This time the tester sat in the back and my instructor was in the front which made it feel like a normal lesson (well, to an extent). The tester I was assigned happened to be filling in for someone who was sick and thankfully the lady was very lovely and mindful of the fact that I was just a little nervous.
The first half of the test went really well, in fact the majority of the test just consisted of speed bumps and roundabouts in very quiet back streets. Unlike my first test which was in extremely busy industrial areas. After the first half of the test was over my tester commented on how well I had driven and exclaimed that I did an excellent job on the first half, which made me feel so much more relaxed and confident about successfully passing the second half. Both my previous testers said nothing at all to me and they were far from friendly, it was horrible.
The second half of the test was five minutes of driving on a freeway and another five minutes on a busy main road, which to my advantage, were both areas that I frequently drive on with my parents and driving instructor. Soon enough I found myself back at the testing office anxiously awaiting my fate for the third time. My name was called and I finally heard the oh so sweet words- "congratulations, that was an excellent drive". I could hardly believe it. Neither could I wipe the smile off my face. I got my licence. Third time lucky.
(image via weheartit.com)
Oh happy day. I can finally celebrate the enormous achievement of finally getting my licence. Take that CFS, take that!! After years of struggling with fatigue, it seemed I would never get it, but here I am two weeks after being granted freedom and I couldn't be happier. So far I've managed a few adventures to the shops (where else, ha!) and I'm just so proud, I can't stop smiling! To be able to drive myself somewhere despite chronic fatigue is just an incredible achievement- one I'll never take for granted. All things considered, I'm managing fatigue okay but when I have my bad days they sure are shockers, and as any CFS sufferer would know, the bad days far outweigh the good ones. So, of course my driving is fairly limited and I can only drive very short distances (I'm talking 5 minutes down the road) but the days that I can manage to drive allows me to appreciate them on the bad days when I can't drive.
The amazing blessing of having my licence (and my own car!) means that I can now make the most of the good days and get myself out of the house, even if I can only manage thirty minutes or so. When you live with multiple chronic illnesses, freedom and independence may disintegrate and seem like they've disappeared altogether. I know I often feel far from free but the ability to drive is feeding me a taste of freedom and I'm slowly becoming miss independent.
Lately I've been feeling like my life isn't going anywhere, that I'm just going round in senseless and directionless circles but now I can see a glimmer of hope. I've got my licence, I've achieved something and I'm moving forward (even though it doesn't feel like it some days). Being able to drive somewhere opens up new opportunities that wouldn't be possible if I was still catching public transport. I'm now looking at getting some sewing lessons and I'm even hoping to be able to go to cake decorating school one day. I'm even wanting to attempt making a return to work for one short shift a week, if my boss will have me back.
Getting my licence is a huge victory for me and I'm sure it's only one of the many more victories to come. I am proof that patience and persistence pays off. I am proof that getting your licence with chronic fatigue isn't impossible. Hell, it hasn't been easy but I can now look back on the last six years over joyed, standing proud in admiration of just how far I've come and how much progress I am continuing to make. I am giving CFS a good hard kick up the backside and I am proudly claiming my power!
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