I'm still practicing with Jennifer about once every other week on average. The progress seems slow, but steady. She's pretty pleased with my progress overall. She even speculated I may be ready to get my license by August! I'm getting more comfortable changing lanes while moving at a high rate of speed. I've learned how to do a 3 point turn. I've conquered parking garages. I've drove with bicyclist weaving around me. I've driven through construction zones and conquered 4 way stops when the light was malfunctioning. And while there's still more to learn I got some news today that was very unsettling and thew me for a curve.
My usual routine when I get home is to check the mail shortly after getting in from work. Well last week I got a letter that raised my interest. It was from the Alabama Department of Public Safety in Montgomery. As it turns out, they needed my doctor to fill our a form showing I was still eligible to be a bioptic driver. Well, I just went to see the doctor right next door to my low vision specialist in December. So I called hoping they could sign it, but no, that would be too easy and cheap. Instead, they told me I'd have to see my low vision bioptic specialist. Ok, I called down there and found out given the short time frame I had to submit this paperwork, I was going to see some new specialist that works with my regular low vision specialist. I was dismayed, but the important thing was to get this paperwork completed before I started facing problems with the state. So I made an appointment for today after work. I took a taxi to ensure I'd be there on time.
I walked in and did the usual nonsense with showing my insurance card to the same office for the millionth time. After this, I was escorted to the exam room by the a specialist I've not met before. She began the usual test of reading the eye chart with and without my bioptic lens. After that we did the part where she shines lights in my eyes and examines my eyes. She also used a machine to measure what my prescription was. I had my contact in and she asked I take them out. After that, she wanted to do a visual field test on me. I've done it several times before. Your face is positioned looking into this plastic bowl for the exact moment the laser light jumps in your field of vision. They give you a hand held buzzer so you can pinpoint this. It's kind of like a video game. Well, she told me I failed the test in my right eye but we'd come back and try it once more after testing the left eye. After I passed the left eye test, we did the visual field test again on the right eye...I failed again.....not good.
End result: If I don't pass this test I can't drive. So with that said I was definitely disappointed and aggravated to say the least. This Dr. seemed very matter-of-fact-ish, but the doctor was young and at the end of her long day, so maybe that was effecting her attitude and my opinions. I'm sure I'm a little biased about her given the bad news she gave me. The good news out of all this is she told me I can try again next week with yet another specialist I've never met. If I don't pass this test next Tuesday (07/13/10) at 8:30 a.m. it's car lights OUT for my bioptic driving dreams. Please pray God's will be done with all of this. I've always said to Him if I will end up hurting myself or someone else due to my vision challenges then He needs to close the door on all this. It may be time, it may not. Personally, I'd love to continue. Even if my driving is extremely limited it is 100% better then no driving. This turn of events will also force me into making some major life changing decisions. So I'll keep you posted on what happens and thanks ahead of time for your prayers on Tuesday morning for me. May His will be done.
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