I was born without arms and shortened legs (the medical terms are Phocomelia and Bilateral PFFD). There was no medical explanation for my disability. Fortunately, my parents were supportive and had an optimistic view for my future. I attended mainstream schooling and learnt to write with my foot. I was a happy and outgoing child, taking part in all activities at school including swimming, tennis (I held a racket between my chin and shoulder!) and drama. I did well academically and was always self-motivated – I do not think my parents ever had to tell me to do my homework!
Independence was always important to me. It was a great challenge to begin university life. I attended Stellenbosch University and stayed in residence. I battled with the walking distances on campus and I had to rely on friends and classmates to take me to lectures in a wheelchair. In my second year, I obtained funding for a motorized wheelchair and this gave me the freedom to move around campus independently. I completed my BA degree (majoring in Psychology and Social Work), followed by my Honours degree in Psychology (cum laude) in 2001.
During my university years, it was a dream of mine to be able to drive a car. As a child, my parents made contact with a young girl in the UK with a similar disability. She drove and adapted car, so I knew that this was possible. The Stellenbosch Engineering Department even took the idea on as a project, but they found it difficult not having the technical knowledge that is available in the UK. In 2001, the friend in the UK heard about my wish to drive. She was in the process of having a new car adapted and kindly donated her previous car to me; a Honda Civic (1995 model). As her disability was not exactly the same as mine, further adaptations were necessary to enable me to drive. I undertook fundraising efforts and visited the UK for fittings and basic driving lessons.
The ability to drive my car and have complete independence made a profound effect on my quality of life. In 2002 I was selected for the Master’s Programme in Clinical Psychology at Stellenbosch University, a great achievement for me as only 8 applicants were selected annually. It was during this year that my car arrived in South Africa and I obtained my driver’s licence. My car was very important in my selection for Masters as I needed to be mobile to visit communities, clinics and hospitals. In 2003, I completed a one year internship at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch Student Counselling before qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist. The following year, I completed my community service at Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital (Forensic Unit) in Mitchell’s Plain and began lecturing Psychology part-time at Varsity College in Rondebosch.
My Master’s thesis topic was related to the psychological adjustment to spinal cord injury. Following my community service, I began a part-time private practice and approached the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre (WCRC) in Mitchell’s Plain to do sessions in the hospital. I found that my own disability gave me “credibility” in working with patients who were trying to adjust to their injuries, including spinal cord injuries, amputation and stroke. I was involved in individual, family and group therapy and also ran “Disability Awareness” workshops for the nursing staff as well as schools in Cape Town.
In 2006 I had to make the difficult decision to leave WCRC because of the extensive travelling distances and costs. While my car had given me so much independence and freedom, it began to give general mechanical problems. Fortunately I have had no major problems with the adaptations, but the car has extensive mechanical corrosion as it was left outdoors for many years at a seaside town in the UK. In addition, the car has high mileage and it was recommended that I keep the wear and tear on the car to a minimum to extend the longevity.
As my car is very important to my independence, I have had to investigate options to obtain a replacement car in the near future. My hope was to have a car adapted in South Africa, but after extensive investigations over the past year, I found that this is not a possibility. The joystick hydraulic steering that I use is vital for me to be alb e to drive and unfortunately this technology is still not available in South Africa.
The reality is that to replace my car will be an incredibly expensive task. While it seems that buying a new car and hiring an (able-bodied) driver would be a cheaper option, this would be defeating all my hard work of striving to lead and independent lifestyle.
The costs of adapting a vehicle are beyond my means. In exchange for financial assistance, I am offering individuals and companies the option of advertising/media exposure and to do motivational talks. My car certainly attracts a great deal of attention. Whenever I step in or out of my car, onlookers are astounded. I never feel offended by this as it is rather incredible that a person can drive a car without arms!
Your assistance is greatly appreciated and you are welcome to contact me should you require further information.
Warm Regards
NICKY
