Driving offers a sense of control, freedom and independence, for this reason, a lot of people cannot wait to learn the skill.
For people who have had stroke, the eagerness to begin driving again remains after their recovery. They crave the independence that driving represents and would rather be in control of their movements once again rather than relying on others for their transportation needs.
A stroke affects the physical, mental and emotional parts of the body and so might have lasting effects that can make driving very difficult for a recovering patient.
You can drive after a stroke, there is no disputing this fact. However, you need to understand the changes in your body and how they can affect your driving skill.
How stroke affects the ability to drive
A stroke occurs when the blood supply is cut off from a part of the brain. This affects the brain cells, and can result in major physical, cognitive and vision challenges. A person suffering from a stroke may experience an inability to speak, think or see clearly. It can also cause a part of the body to become temporarily or permanently paralysed. All these can affect your ability to drive properly. If you intend to begin driving, you need to be able to identify the warning signs to determine whether …show more content…
The purpose of this program is to offer useful suggestions on vehicle adaptations that can be used to modify your car to suit your needs. Rehabilitation specialists are professionals who are trained to evaluate the driving ability of stroke survivors and assist them as they learn to adapt to the changes in their body. The rehabilitation specialist will conduct a behind-the-wheel assessment where your driving skills will be assessed in a safe environment. The in-vehicle assessment is very thorough and can last for about an