Nineteen-year-old Deion Richardson, of Roaches Hill, a disabled victim of a shooting incident at Statia Valley in November 2011, has gained much confidence in his ability to live an independent life, as much as possible, by securing a driver’s licence. He successfully took the Police driving test on Tuesday this week, having passed the written test a month ago.
Richardson, who normally spends most of his time in a wheelchair, has described himself as being temporarily disabled, rather than paralysed. Speaking to The Anguillian about his driving lessons, he said: “My friend and driving teacher, Tigga, taught me everything I know. He told me never to panic, just take your time and do what you have to do. I went out and did it and I passed.”
The new driver, who had three weeks of driving lessons, said the car he has access to was not a specially-manufactured vehicle. “It just a part we ordered which is installed on the panel of the car,” he explained. “I control [the device] with my left hand – one section is for brakes and the other for gas, and that is pretty much it.”
Asked why he decided to learn to drive, he replied: “Sometimes I need a boost of confidence in my condition to show people that I am not letting anything keep me down. I am going to keep living my life, one day at a time, continuing what I am doing and keeping positive.”
Questioned further about his condition, Richardson, who receives therapy three times per week, stated: “I am not confined to a chair. I would just say I am temporarily in the chair because I cannot control my legs as yet; but I am not rushing anything. I am just taking my time and doing what I have to do. Sometimes I have to wait for people to help me in certain ways, but I like to be more independent — doing things for myself.”
Deion’s driving tutor,GlenstonHickson, alia Tigga, who is a mechanic and driving school instructor, recalled that there were no instructions or drawings to explain how to install and operate the special gadget in the car to enable his disabled student to drive the vehicle. He eventually found a way to install the equipment and set out to undertake the driving lessons. “I was frightened because it was the first time I did that and I didn’t know what to expect. But I went through with it and it was fun.I took him on the road for three weeks everyday for an hour. When I finished with him, he would go back into the wheelchair and I would return the car to normal driving for my other classes. I was feeling uncomfortable at first, but after doing it on a regular basis, it came normal to me.”Tigga is happy that he was able to teach Deion to drive, thus giving him a life-changing experience.
Deion’s mother, Daneth Richardson, is also very happy. “I feel great,” she commented. “I don’t know how relieved I am going to be, however, because he will now be up and down in my vehicle, but I am glad for him.”
