Well I didn’t decide. It was about a year ago, basically my doctor said I had to stop driving. I had gone to the doctor and he said that I was you know, beginning to experience some early Alzheimer’s symptoms. So they wanted me to go to the DMV and I didn’t want to, I went to a private occupational therapist-driving specialist. I first did all the writing portions. They came back and said that basically, I failed the testing because I’m too slow. The OT-DRS started to cry a little bit when she shared the news. And I felt so bad, but I just kept telling her that now I’ll be safe and I’ll be keeping other people safe.

I still feel in the driver’s seat!  My husband is wonderful and I have tons of friends that help me out. My book club girlfriends, my flower club girlfriends, everybody helps me out when I need it. I still get where I need to go when I need to. I’ll be 80 in May but I don’t look or feel 80. I’m a very active woman.

I would say that obviously I would like to still drive…because I like to feel free. But I’m very practical and reasonable and I knew it was time to not drive anymore. I accept the fact that I am no longer driving. And I have friends that I wish would give up driving. It is important to be reasonable with yourself and keep others safe.

Mary from California