With no previous experience before embarking on her life-long dream of driving, Ame Barnbrook – born with no arms, one leg and three toes – is well on her way to passing her NSW licence.
Having represented Australia in competitive sailing and learnt to play the trumpet amongst other activities, Ame is no stranger to gaining independence in many aspects of life.
After hearing about the latest innovations in driving controls, she set her sights on passing her test as soon as possible.
Ame now has the finish line firmly in view with the help of driving instructor Dean McMillan and Total Ability’s High-Level Assessment Van equipped with cutting-edge technology.
The first 10 lessons
The first 10 hours of driving lessons included learning how to operate the vehicle with the Fadiel Italiana Joystick Control, doing lots of backstreets, focusing on cornering and positioning plus Joystick technique.
Dean is very proud of Ame’s demonstrated ability so far, “Being a brand-new learner she is also learning the road rules and needing guidance on making decisions etc, not just how to use the Joystick.”
THE LAST 10 LESSONS
The last 10 hours, Ame and Dean have been slowly entering into more complex traffic, multi-lane roads, including 80km zone highways. “Ame controls the vehicle beautifully and is now gaining experience in all traffic situations.”
Ame will need a touchpad controller to turn the vehicle on and off, turning the electronic handbrake on and off and also changing the gear shift as she cannot do this with her foot. At the moment Dean performs these tasks during her lessons.
“These functions will have to be set up in her own vehicle to be fully independent and eventually sit her RMS test” says Dean.
This cannot be setup in the practice van as it’s very specific for her. In the meantime, Ame will keep driving the Total Ability Van with dual brake controls to get experience in all traffic situations.
NEXT: NAVIGATING BureaucraCY
The next obstacle is to navigate the rules between NDIS and RMS. NDIS need Ame to have passed her test to obtain the funds to modify her vehicle and Ame would need her custom modifications made in order to pass her test at the RMS.
Just like she has pioneered many situations so far in life, Ame now will pioneer this conundrum and pave the way for future drivers with complex disabilities.
Stay tuned for the outcome of this amazing journey in the coming months. In the meantime, read our original story when Ame first started lessons here.
Would you love to drive, but don’t know where to start? Download our FREE “NDIS Guide to Vehicle Modifications” here.
