Mike Schickerowski went through a long journey to get his driver91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淏y 11 months old, my mother had identified the problem,91裸聊视频� said Schickerowski.

91裸聊视频淭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.91裸聊视频�

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 91裸聊视频渃omputer field91裸聊视频� most of his adult life.

But, one thing the doctors were right about was that he was unable to drive.

91裸聊视频淚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 91裸聊视频� you sort of move from being a child to an adult and gain your independence,91裸聊视频� said Schickerowski.

91裸聊视频淏ut at my age now, it91裸聊视频檚 felt more like I91裸聊视频檝e been missing a connection with my family, my children specifically. I didn91裸聊视频檛 have the ability to take them to soccer practice or bring them out to get ice cream. All of that had fallen onto my wife91裸聊视频檚 shoulders.91裸聊视频�

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 91裸聊视频渟lightly out of place,91裸聊视频� so he needed to return to California for a second operation.

After the successful surgeries, Schickerowski got his learner91裸聊视频檚 licence and was finally able get behind the wheel, as long as there was a supervisor in the vehicle.

91裸聊视频淒riving91裸聊视频檚 scary at first. It was hard and I couldn91裸聊视频檛 believe how much you need to be aware of when driving,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淚 was certainly a nervous wreck at first. But I pushed myself pretty hard 91裸聊视频� I drove 91裸聊视频� as frequently as possible. Every day, I pushed myself. It took about three or fours months to be completely comfortable.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淚 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. I91裸聊视频檓 able to just do that on my own now when I need it, when I want to. It91裸聊视频檚 an absolutely incredible feeling.91裸聊视频�

Schickerowski says is 91裸聊视频渋t91裸聊视频檚 important for people to realize we shouldn91裸聊视频檛 give up on our dreams.91裸聊视频�

sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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