I got in an acident about four years ago, I got my eye surgery done. I have old glass's. I thought eventually get a new license my license expired 20013 My daughter and my son took me to lunch both said "you are driving without a License the WMV has cut off your licence. I said "what for" My daughter said "you took a MRI you showed a spot on your brain looks like it is dead." My son took my keys to my car my grand daughter drove it home. I know longer drive my car. My daughter and son took me down to assited living place. It was SO quiet down there I'm in my apartment today but I have no car. O Boy! I thought about moving eventually for another state. TOO LATE Do you have any advice for me?

Esther, my advise... is to follow the advise of your daughter & son. No driving.

My Mother did not want to relinquish her driving.. I had hoped when she had her next birthday, her license would be up for renewal and would terminate driving then.. Well.. before that could happen she had fallen down and we needed to take her to the hospital for a broken leg.. while searching for her medical information we discovered her license had already expired!

Of course prior to that she told us she only drove to the grocery store, during daylight. To make this long story short.. I told her I was concerned about her safety and the safety of others.. I would take her wherever she needed to go when ever she wanted to go.

The only sure way I could guarantee she would not drive was to take her car to my house.. and I did.

Let those that want to take care of you do it... As you know, it doesn't take much to have a fatal accident... it is not worth the risk...

I hope more medical testing will produce a good outcome here.. but regardless... please follow the advice of your children. They are looking out for your best interest.

Wray..

Esther

Just keep us posted on how you are doing,any way we can help,your kids will help you also,they know best.

old Chief sends

I thought about moving to Michigan or Maine I was caugt with my pants down, what a shock

My daughter picked me some KFC and mashed potatoes but I think I was in jail. I go out to dinner at 7pm I can't drive OH WELL HELL

To cold in Michigan and Maine,you will slide on the ice in a vehicle.

quote:

My daughter picked me some KFC and mashed potatoes but I think I was in jail. I go out to dinner at 7pm I can't drive OH WELL HELL

You are LUCKY you got some good kids

I have good kids but they surprised me when they talked to me like that I'm staying home out of trouble and I am at the computer

"but they surprised me when they talked to me like that"

OH maybe thats just tough love,you know how you {maybe} used tough love on them when they were younger.

Stormer,

My Grandmother should not be driving either, but the state of OR says she can. My mother lives with her to help out and she tried to get my Grandmother's DL revoked because of the way she drives and the accidents she has been in. Honestly, my Grandmother shouldn't have been driving 25yrs ago when I received my DL as a 16yr old. She was absolutely terrible and from speaking with my Mother, still is terrible!

If you look at the statistics, Senior Citizens are the 2nd highest risk drivers next to teenagers. Due to their reaction time has dramatically decreased to those younger, where as teenagers are inexperience drivers which are the main causes of their accidents.

I know it is a "freedom" that has been taken from you and I understand how you feel a little bit, because when I broke my ankle many years ago, there was a certain XO of Support Center Boston who treated non-rated personnel as little children and she took my keys away from me when she found out I was driving, even though the Orthopedic Surgeon said it was ok for me to drive. So for a 20yr with no vehicle it was tough, but I managed. You will naturally adapt. Hopefully your children and grandchildren will help you out.

Look at it this way, you have more "disposable" income, no insurance, maintenance, and gas to pay for a vehicle.

Just a perspective from a young whipper snapper!

GUNS

Esther

It does sounds like the DMV took your license due to medical problems...I know that after driving a large portion of your life, it probably seems like you've lost some of your freedom...Hopefully your kids are close and make sure your needs are met, such as doctor appointments, grocery needs and so forth...

For my mother, she voluntarily gave up driving a year and a half ago on her birthday...Her eyesight was going and she was extremely hard of hearing...I was the one who was going to have to take her license...I'm glad she decided...She just came out one day and said she didn't know what she'd do if she hurt someone someday with her car, especially a kid...

She lives a half mile from us, and we tend to all her travel needs...She missed the driving quite a bit at first but now says she knows she made the right decision...

So I think maybe Esther, if you look at all the positives, such as all the years you did drive without any major incidents and the fact that it seems you have kids that care and will take care of you, it is probably the right decision...

Plus, you still have your computer and it gives you more time to play on Fred's Place...I'm sure I talk for most of the people on here when I say we enjoy seeing your input on the many issues here and also enjoy you telling us stories of your late husband and yours and his experiences in the Coast Guard...

I wish you the best and know that you will do well...

Larry Gunkel

I think we all dread the day that we have to tell our parents they are not capable of driving. In some cases that's the last little bit of independance they have. I only drive twice a week Mom says, to church on Sunday and to the grocery store. We all know how moms can lay the guilt trip on you. God bless her, my mother was good at it. You would have thought I had cut off her legs when I told her that's it for the driving.

Then of course all this can be compounded with her being in another part of the country living by herself. Mom, why don't you come down to Florida so your close and we can take better care of you? I don't want to leave all my friends up here. Mom, your in your 90's, all your friends have passed away. That one never worked.

Finally convinced her to come to Florida. What little time we had with her was thoroughly enjoyed by all the family here in Florida.

Your children are doing the right thing.

How did the DMV get past HIPPA requirements? Who sent them the results?

Not sure PCP is the place for this thread, its really not CG related, but I guess it could be retirement related.

T

Militia, interrogative with your last statement. Although HIPPA is a serious issue and a whole different matter itself, Stormer's issue is a real life USCG issue as well. Stormer is part of our CG Family and made a point. Fellow CG members from her extended family made some counter-points and provided exactly what Stomer was asking for.

I enjoy reading Stormer’s post as well as sharing her recent real life experience, that each of us may have to deal with when the time comes.

I, for one, applaud Stomer’s post and follow-on post of support and encouragement.

V/R, -LTGunner-

Lead Mod
Is it not written that one thousand friends is not enough, one enemy is too many?
I take umbrage with your comment about Stormer's thread. Keeping with the Coast Guard mantra of "we don't take lives, we help 'em"... When a forum member asks for some friendly reassuence dealing with a real world problem, the situation requires someone to listen to her concerns. Not appropriate to this board? Sometimes all we need is a shipmate to bounce our hopes and fears off of, but you feel that this is the wrong place? Someday sporty you're going to face the end of the road, I hope you have some friends to share it with. Wise up.

Gentlemen

Considering I didn't move the thread, I would probably stop making a big deal about it.

Ester has been a member here a long time, and certainly has my respect and compassion.

Killroy

You and I have never discussed much of anything, yet you feel qualified to make a determination on what kind of friend I am? Perhaps you can enlighten us on how you know me well enough to make that determination.

I have hundreds of friends, and while I am always looking for a few more, you can become one of them and gain a friend that will stand beside you the rest of your life, or you can continue to assume and get left behind. Your call mate.

T

Stormer,

I know you are facing some difficult changes to your lifestyle but it certainly appears that your children are trying to look out for you. Losing you ability to drive certainly may see like you are losing your independence but there may be some options available to you that will allow you to retain some of that independence. Look into what transportation services are available for seniors in your area. Many areas have free or low cost transportation services for such things as grocery shopping, doctor visits... Some areas also have transportation to places like the malls or parks just so seniors can get out and enjoy themselves. I know from reading your posts over the years that you have given a lot of your time and energy to help your community so now maybe your community can help you. Please look into what is available to you and take advantage of it it will help you remain more independent and happier.

Marklf

LTGunner & kilroywashere,

Not that militia1 needs any help, but you seem to be getting fired up about nothing. He wasn't talking about deleting the thread, he was pondering about moving it to another section of the board which might be more appropriate to the subject.

Good luck, Stormie. You've been around here a long time, and deserve whatever help or advice we can provide.

...gjd

Thanks guys you made my day. I can't drive but I can walk up and down 14 steps each way I'll call a taxi or my grand daughter to pick me up for an appt with my doctor I will use a Taxi if I get grocerys My daughter works 8 hours a day driving freeways. My grand dauther (sp) works cleaning house's for spending money he has a husband that buys groceries for the house. My grand daughter is a spend THRIFT BIG TIME