Dear Friends and Family!

I know it’s been a long, long time since I have offered an update. This has been the longest, most difficult journey of my life. My van was sent in to be modified shortly after my last update to you. The place, Innovative Mobility, had my vehicle for a little over 3 years! The man that owned the business was full of excuses, blaming the delay on everything from hurricane Katrina, to needing to import a detachable steering wheel from France, to his own personal problem of going through a divorce. Ultimately, Innovative Mobility went out of business and I was very lucky to get my van back. Many other people didn't!

I received my van in January 2007. Unfortunately, it still wasn’t finished. It took almost a year to go through the red tape to have my camera system installed. These cameras enable me to see to my left and right. Without them, I would not be able to safely cross a street.

I was allowed to begin driving in January as long as I had a licensed driver accompanying me who could also let me know when the cross traffic was clear. I had lessons every few weeks with Jenny at Driving to Independence. Shawn took on the heavy-duty teaching though. From the day I took possession of the van, I drove everywhere! I only gave him a heart attack a couple of times that I know of.

Finally, my cameras were installed and I was allowed to take my test. The work that led up to that day still gives me nightmares. Everything that could go wrong did, including DMV giving me misinformation that resulted in the temporary (3 days) loss of my permit. I was required to take the test again. By this time, 8 years of preparing, I could practically quote the manual at them. Of course, I passed with flying colors. Then someone at DMV put a message in my file saying that I no longer wanted to take the actual driving test. By this time I was so used to following every conversation I had with anyone up with e-mails, letters and more calls, that I caught the mistake within hours. This was a miracle because if my case had gone to committee with that note in my file, my case would have been closed and I would have had to start the DMV process all over again! Honestly, I’m not sure I would have handled that too well emotionally. Fortunately, things ultimately worked out and I was able to take the driving test on November 1, 2007. I passed. But I still didn’t get my license. The case had to go before the committee one last time. I finally received my letter from them clearing me to get the license. On November 13, 2007 I became a licensed driver! The entire process had taken me over 8 years, but I did it!

Thank you all for all the emotional support, not to mention the financial support you have blessed me with. This will be my last update. I plan to leave the site open to motivate others with disabilities that they too can do it! Please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at vehiclefund@cox.net if you want to know how things are going in the years to come.

Take care, and watch for me on the road!

Laura Coursey