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Driving and Transportation

Fri, 08/01/2008 - 17:09

Hello,

My name is Janet and I just had my most recent gran mal seizure on Monday, July 28th.  My doctor says that the state of Florida will not allow me to drive for six months after a seizure, which although EXTREMELY bothersome, it is completely understandable.

For me, I am finding it very difficult to cope with my not driving. I am a very independent person. Everyday after work I either go to the gym or to dance classes. I never just go home - I don't have any children and my husband gets home late from work. 

Please let me know how you guys are getting up and about. Public transportation in Miami is dismal. Do you know if epiliptics qualify for special transportations benefits? I feel really bad in having my husband and mother taking me places. What's great is that I work with my husband, so it's not that completely bad - although I used to sleep in a bit more when I drove myself :)

I find myself feeling so anxious just knowing that I can't take my car and go. 

Would love to hear from you 

Janet :)

 

Comments

Re: Driving and Transportation

Submitted by curly0805 on Sun, 2008-08-03 - 12:56

Tannie,

Yes, the good thing that I have is that I work with my husband. He has his engineering firm so he actually drives me to work and then my mom picks me up.

Here, the public transportation for the disabled is very limited. Their definition of disabled doesn't include epilepsy.

I just looked it up and this is the information that it gives:

Special Transportation Service (STS)
STS is available for people with an intellectual, mental, or physical disability who cannot ride Metrobus, Metrorail, or Metromover. For $3 per one-way trip, STS offers shared-ride, door-to-door travel in accessible vehicles throughout most of Miami-Dade County, in some parts of South Broward County, and in the Monroe County Upper to Middle keys. STS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including most holidays. Use STS for trips to medical appointments, school, work, shopping, business, or recreation. Air-conditioned minivans, small buses, lift-equipped vans, and sedans transport passengers with disabilities safely in a clean, smoke-free environment. Pickups are within 30 minutes of the scheduled time.

 

So, the way they see it, is that if you CAN'T take a bus then you qualify for the STS.

I doubt that epilepsy would qualify. I spoke with a friend yesterday who has had epilepsy since he was born and he takes the bus, taxi, and has friends drive him around.

It could always be worse, so I will be doing a lot of arts and crafts or asking people for rides :)  

Tannie,

Yes, the good thing that I have is that I work with my husband. He has his engineering firm so he actually drives me to work and then my mom picks me up.

Here, the public transportation for the disabled is very limited. Their definition of disabled doesn't include epilepsy.

I just looked it up and this is the information that it gives:

Special Transportation Service (STS)
STS is available for people with an intellectual, mental, or physical disability who cannot ride Metrobus, Metrorail, or Metromover. For $3 per one-way trip, STS offers shared-ride, door-to-door travel in accessible vehicles throughout most of Miami-Dade County, in some parts of South Broward County, and in the Monroe County Upper to Middle keys. STS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including most holidays. Use STS for trips to medical appointments, school, work, shopping, business, or recreation. Air-conditioned minivans, small buses, lift-equipped vans, and sedans transport passengers with disabilities safely in a clean, smoke-free environment. Pickups are within 30 minutes of the scheduled time.

 

So, the way they see it, is that if you CAN'T take a bus then you qualify for the STS.

I doubt that epilepsy would qualify. I spoke with a friend yesterday who has had epilepsy since he was born and he takes the bus, taxi, and has friends drive him around.

It could always be worse, so I will be doing a lot of arts and crafts or asking people for rides :)  

Re: Driving and Transportation

Submitted by curly0805 on Sun, 2008-08-03 - 12:24

Hey Guys,

Thank you so much for all the response!!! Always good to hear from people who understand.

Sending you all a really big hug!!

Janet :)

Hey Guys,

Thank you so much for all the response!!! Always good to hear from people who understand.

Sending you all a really big hug!!

Janet :)

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