It's been almost a year since I was last behind the wheel of a vehicle.
On Aug. 6, I drove my 2007 Pontiac G5 from my apartment building to the Mercury office, simply because I thought it would be easier to sell the car if it was in front of a building on Souris Avenue North, rather than tucked in the corner of a condo building's parking lot. (The vehicle was sold on Aug. 23).
To add some finality to it all, I also cancelled my automobile insurance and I surrendered my licence. I might not ever drive again.
For those not aware, 20 years ago I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) – an untreatable, degenerative eyesight condition that could lead to blindness. I could have surgery to correct my near-sightedness, but not to treat the retina issues. The RP not only impacts peripheral vision, but it hinders my ability to see in the dark, to watch dark scenes in a movie, to see the golf ball when I hit it, or even to see a computer monitor or a cell phone screen in a bright setting, among other things.
I was without a licence for 4 1/2 months in 2004, and when I regained my driving privileges, I was restricted to daytime only. It was fine during the summer, tricky during the winter. But I learned to adapt.
And I could still drive wherever I wanted; I just needed to be smart about it. The drive from Estevan to Maple Creek? Good idea. Driving through tight, winding mountain passes? Never did it, but likely a bad idea.
In 2019, my ability to drive was further reduced to within Estevan city limits. Last year, I made the decision to stop driving, before a predictable outcome (ie: an accident) occurred.
It's not easy living without a licence. Driving is essential in even a smaller community, at least one without universal public transit. But I know I made the right decision.
You learn some things when your driving days are finished.
The past year has reinforced how many kind, generous people there are in Estevan. I've had a lot of people stop and offer me rides. Some are close friends; others are people I hadn't talked to in ages. Some offers have been politely declined, because I was out for a casual walk or because I really need the exercise. But a ride does help, especially when you consider I would drive from the Mercury building to Midale in less time than it takes for me to walk from the Mercury building to my condo.
You learn you have to constantly think ahead. Having a daytime-only licence from 2004-2023 forced me to strategize, to know that I had to be off the road by a certain time. But it's a different ball game when you can't drive.
If I forget my laptop charger, camera, tape recorder or leftovers for lunch, I can't dash home and pick them up. If I'm going for groceries on the way home from work, I need to bring a couple of bags with me. I might have to stop at several locations when out and about to get what I need.
And there's only so much I can carry without suffering a hernia.
There are challenges. Sidewalks that aren't cleared in the winter months and trees that aren't trimmed in the spring and summer, although I understand there are some who, due to physical limitations, can't do that work, and I'm sympathetic to their situation.
People who refuse to yield the right of way to pedestrians are obviously the worst. If there isn't a painted crosswalk, many motorists think they have the right of way at an intersection. They don't. Still, more painted intersections would help.
Estevan has become safer for pedestrians in recent years. The sidewalk and pathway project three years ago made a big difference. It was one of the reasons I was willing to stop driving; we finally had a long-overdue sidewalk the length of Kensington Avenue and a pathway for the eastern blocks of Fourth Street.
We've seen a sidewalk finally added to Perkins Street from Fourth Avenue to Second Avenue. Hopefully the next city council will extend the sidewalk so that it runs from McDonald Road to Kensington. And add a sidewalk on Fourth Avenue Â鶹ÊÓƵ from Murray Street to Fourth Street.
I hope that one day, someone will find a cure for RP, not just for my sake but for others, especially those with the more severe strains of RP. I hope that if I'm ever able to drive again, I won't take it for granted. And I hope that I wouldn't forget the lessons I've learned and continued to learn while trying to live in a society dependent on our vehicles.
Until then, I'll get by with a little help from my friends.
