At Herts Ability, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to gain independence and confidence behind the wheel. We’re incredibly proud to share the inspiring story of our client Alwaled, a determined and positive individual who proves that no challenge is too great to overcome!
Alwaled sustained a traumatic injury at the age of five, which resulted in the loss of both forearms and hands. Despite these challenges, he has never let his disability define him.
Before coming to Herts Ability, Alwaled had some driving experience in his home country of Syria, including driving manual transmission vehicles.
When Alwaled first attended a driving assessment at Herts Ability, he demonstrated exceptional adaptability and determination. His physical ability to operate an automatic transmission vehicle without adaptations amazed us. During the assessment, Alwaled confidently used his arm stumps to:
- Open the car door
- Adjust his seat and mirrors
- Fasten his seatbelt
- Start the engine using a standard ignition key
- Operate the parking brake and indicator stalks
His quick and precise steering, without any additional aids, further showcased his skill and determination. The assessment concluded that Alwaled was safe to learn to drive in standard automatic vehicles – a marvellous achievement!
Reflecting on his experience, Alwaled shared:
“I came to Herts Ability for a driving assessment a few months ago, and they let me drive to see how it goes. It was good, but with a little slowness. They told me to get about 15 hours of driving lessons and come back again to check if it’s going better. So after 18 hours, I went back for another appointment. I drove again, and they said, ‘It is much better, and you can book your practical test.’ I’m now going to book my test and continue taking lessons to be fully ready.
My disability is no arms from the elbow. I always need to be positive because I have to – life will continue anyway. I keep saying to myself, ‘Never, never, never give up.’
The team at Herts Ability were very kind to me during the assessment. Thank you, Mark (Assistant Manager) and Jane (Driving Assessor and Occupational Therapist).”
Well done, Alwaled! Your perseverance and positivity are truly inspiring.
If you’re looking to start your own journey towards driving independence, Herts Ability is here to help. Our friendly and experienced team can provide tailored driving assessments and support to meet your needs.
Give us a call on 01707 324 581 or email us at driving@hertsability.org.uk to find out more.
Never give up – your journey starts here!
