Mike Schickerowski went through a long journey to get his driver香蕉视频直播檚 licence.
The 44-year-old man who lives in Benalto, which is west of Sylvan Lake, Alta., was born with nystagmus and had been legally blind for most of his life.
香蕉视频直播淏y 11 months old, my mother had identified the problem,香蕉视频直播� said Schickerowski.
香蕉视频直播淭he doctors said that it would be very difficult going forward in my life. They said I would never attend public school. I would never play sports. I would never work in the workforce, and I would never drive a car.香蕉视频直播�
Nystagmus is a vision disorder in which the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements.
Schickerowski proved the doctors wrong on many fronts throughout his life. He attended public school with the help of special accommodations, became a provincial wrestling champion, captained his high school football team, and has worked in the 香蕉视频直播渃omputer field香蕉视频直播� most of his adult life.
But, one thing the doctors were right about was that he was unable to drive.
香蕉视频直播淚t felt like something I was missing out on. My goals for driving changed over the years. When I was young, it was more about growing up 香蕉视频直播� you sort of move from being a child to an adult and gain your independence,香蕉视频直播� said Schickerowski.
香蕉视频直播淏ut at my age now, it香蕉视频直播檚 felt more like I香蕉视频直播檝e been missing a connection with my family, my children specifically. I didn香蕉视频直播檛 have the ability to take them to soccer practice or bring them out to get ice cream. All of that had fallen onto my wife香蕉视频直播檚 shoulders.香蕉视频直播�
His children are 15, nine and seven.
Schickerowski signed up for experimental surgery in California to correct his vision in 2018. Shortly after the procedure, his eyes had settled 香蕉视频直播渟lightly out of place,香蕉视频直播� so he needed to return to California for a second operation.
After the successful surgeries, Schickerowski got his learner香蕉视频直播檚 licence and was finally able get behind the wheel, as long as there was a supervisor in the vehicle.
香蕉视频直播淒riving香蕉视频直播檚 scary at first. It was hard and I couldn香蕉视频直播檛 believe how much you need to be aware of when driving,香蕉视频直播� he said.
香蕉视频直播淚 was certainly a nervous wreck at first. But I pushed myself pretty hard 香蕉视频直播� I drove 香蕉视频直播� as frequently as possible. Every day, I pushed myself. It took about three or fours months to be completely comfortable.香蕉视频直播�
Schickerowski was set to do his road test to get his full licence in April, but COVID-19 delayed his plans. He was finally able to take his road test earlier this month and passed on the first try.
香蕉视频直播淚 can take my kids fishing. I can take them to get ice cream. Even just to go out and pick up parts for something around the house or garage. I香蕉视频直播檓 able to just do that on my own now when I need it, when I want to. It香蕉视频直播檚 an absolutely incredible feeling.香蕉视频直播�
Schickerowski says is 香蕉视频直播渋t香蕉视频直播檚 important for people to realize we shouldn香蕉视频直播檛 give up on our dreams.香蕉视频直播�
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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