About Driving

[vinupr]

I have sca2 ataxia. please, I have a little balance problem when I can walk, but when a driving car or two wheeler this not a problem. please anyone can say a good advice, let me know more.

Thanks

Vinu

[sylviagreenhalgh]

if you have ataxia you are obliged to tell the DVLA. they will need you to fill in a form. I have ataxia and did this and there was no problem with me continuing to drive without problems. I also have an acoustic neuroma which they also told me I was OK to drive but in December I had to have brain surgery and you have to give your licence back to the DVLA and I was told I could not drive for 6 months post surgery. I had a shunt put in my brain to drain the fluid. I am now better than I was before the op but the DVLA are still investigating- a panel of doctors will decide if I can drive or not. someone I know who also has hydrocephalus waited a year for his licence. I have half decided to give up as after surgery the insurance was quoted as being very high. you do have a legal obligation to tell DVLA if you have ataxia as if you have an accident your insurance will now cover you.Good luck ! Sylviax

[Angelcake1 in reply to sylviagreenhalgh]

Hi yes you do have a legal obligation to inform the DVLA, they send a form and from the information you give, will decide if you just keep your licence, a restricted licence i.e. a yearly one or maybe send you for a driving assessment, which is not a test just purely an assessment, the assessors are keen to keep you on the road and may suggest adaptations to boost your ability to drive.

The insurance should NOT put up your fees as this would be a disability discrimination issue, if the DVLA say you are fit to drive then for insurance premium purposes your disability doesn't come into question.

Good Luck with it all, I hope all goes well for you, more than ever you need to be able to drive, walking isn't much of an option 😀

[peterallison]

I find that any activity, when sitting or lying down is a 100% easier than on my feet, as I to have a balance problem, I cannot lift my feet/legs properly, or walk " normal". I have been thinking about hydrotherapy, or swimming

Peter

[isabelalfaiate in reply to peterallison]

Hi Peter, is hydrotherapy or swimming helping you to be more mobile? what exercise do you do? I have a minibike and work out arms and legs. I feel doin the arms workout has improved my being able to be more mobile, but have also thought of swimming.

best wishes

Isabel

[peterallison in reply to isabelalfaiate]

I get enough excercise doing my work, I am looking to the next year really, doing the swimming thing

Peter

[anihol in reply to peterallison]

Hi I have a similar problem but I have worked out over time that it is caused mainly by visual movement ie seeing everything moving around me. So I tried a gym and find I can walk at a really good pace on a treadmill and on the 'recumbent bikes as my head and visual images are pretty still. Give it a try. It may work. Anita

[vinupr in reply to anihol]

yes ...sure anita..thank you very much

[vinupr]

you are right peter..i accepted your opinion, thanks for your replay

[Ianseph]

I have Ataxia and am now confined to a wheelchair but the wheelchair had nothing to do with my not driving. I stopped driving voluntarily when I found that my eyes were taking longer and longer to refocus. I was putting myself and other in danger.

[Cedders]

Hi, I've manged to improve my walking (can now lift one leg to step over an object) by having deep tissue massage and doing a 5 minute stretching routine each day. I know this may not work for everyone but I've had better results from this than trying to exercise after physiotherapy. The stretching is for legs, hips and back.

[vinupr]

thanks for ur message...I will try more stretching

[Piero]

I'm in a similar situation, having been diagnosed SCA2 some six years ago. I need to drive, otherwise I'd be housebound and dependent on others for transport. The DVLA renews my licence annually but this of course is dependent upon a report from my doctor. Good luck!

[vinupr in reply to Piero]

can you drive two wheeler easily. i can drive a car easily, thanks for your replay