John has been driving since 1961. For him, driving has always meant one thing above all else: freedom.
Earlier this year, John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and vertigo. These conditions made moving around extremely difficult, and even using a manual wheelchair became a daily struggle. Eventually, John had to stop driving altogether—a loss that deeply affected his independence and quality of life.
John contacted Herts Ability after being referred by social services. He was looking for a way to drive again and regain the confidence that comes with it.
From the very start, John felt supported:
“They were brilliant, very kind and thoughtful. I felt very relaxed during the assessment. Afterwards, I felt very relieved.”
John underwent an assessment to identify his specific needs and was subsequently awarded support through the Driving Assessment Grant (DAG) to help fund the adaptation of his vehicle. This adaptation included the installation of a hoist, enabling John to safely lift his wheelchair into the car.
The impact has been life-changing:
“The hoist helps, as I can now go out by myself. It has made things much easier and has had a very big positive impact on my confidence.”
Without the grant, John would not have been able to proceed with the adaptation. Today, he is back on the road and enjoying the freedom he thought he’d lost.
John encourages anyone in a similar situation not to hesitate:
“Go for it! It will make your life much easier.”
He also recommends Herts Ability to others:
“I would most certainly recommend Herts Ability, as they were very helpful.”
If you or someone you know is struggling to drive due to a medical condition or disability, the friendly teams across our accredited assessment centres are here to help you find the right support and solutions – so you can reimagine your mobility and independence.