The lack of and access to accessible transport is a barrier that prevents many people with disabilities from participating in society. In pursuit of our vision that all quadriplegics and paraplegics will live their lives to their full potential, we have our Driving Ambitions programme that empowers our members by assisting them with obtaining their driver’s licence.
CJ Vurovanty Bramley Stuurman recently got his licence through the Programme. He chatted to us about the experience.
“I wasn’t born with a disability. I became paralysed due to an incident. I was in a car accident in 2017, which put me in hospital for three year,” CJ shares. “Nevertheless, I am always going to be CJ, no matter what comes my way. My positivity and my confidence never faded away, like it does for most people, after my car accident. That only made me stronger and show me what humanity really is.”
“In order to live you need to look ahead and not back,” he says. “Getting my driver’s licence boosted me even more even though I don’t have my own car yet. It just brought that peace to my heart not to beg anymore; the sense of independence. My attention is on getting my own vehicle because there is so many times where I can’t even go to my health care check ups due to transport I don’t have.”
CJ explains that he enjoys driving even though learning to drive in an adapted vehicle was different. He says: “It was different learning how to drive in an adapted vehicle, and at the same time it felt adventurous. Your mind and body go in to shock mode the first time you get into the vehicle; when you see all the modifications in the vehicle; when the instructor explains and shows you what every control option does.
“The pressure of parallel parking, alley docking, a three-point-turn to turn into the road and the hill start, was a freedom feeling that came and went revealing the sheer driving pleasure in me; to not stress, but to do what I went to do: Get my driver’s licence.”
CJ found the actual test stressful as each mistake earned a penalty against you. He focused on staying positive: “I had to be positive, open minded and just have faith in myself and what I have learned, for that I have to thank the team I had that had the faith in me.”
He shares some advice for others who want to get their driver’s licence: “It’s about listening, understanding and a positive attitude and mind-set. Focus and understand the rules and the code of conduct of the K53. Practice and take every little bit of information that you instructor provides you serious – especially the smallest things. It is going to bring you the peace at your lessons and the day of the driving test.”
Although CJ enjoys driving, he is also glad that he is less depended on the people in his life. He explains: “Getting behind the wheel doesn’t have to feel like a chore to me, but the independence is what pushes me to be at the door and embracing my goals. No matter the destination, near or far, I enjoy the journey. I had a great team on my side. Thanks to Caroline for making it possible and thanks to Phillip my instructor for believing in me with his team Olympic Academy working with Driving Ambitious. This organization brought that shining light in me.”
“To every other person with a ‘dif-ability’ meaning a ‘different ability’. I’ll recommend them to get there driver’s licence and enjoy the sense of independence,” he concludes.
Bramley has always been strong through the toughest situations. I’m happy he has found yet another avenue for more independence. I wish you all the best.