Mike Schickerowski went through a long journey to get his driverB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淏y 11 months old, my mother had identified the problem,B次元官网网址� said Schickerowski.

B次元官网网址淭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.B次元官网网址�

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 B次元官网网址渃omputer fieldB次元官网网址� most of his adult life.

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

B次元官网网址淚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 B次元官网网址� you sort of move from being a child to an adult and gain your independence,B次元官网网址� said Schickerowski.

B次元官网网址淏ut at my age now, itB次元官网网址檚 felt more like IB次元官网网址檝e been missing a connection with my family, my children specifically. I didnB次元官网网址檛 have the ability to take them to soccer practice or bring them out to get ice cream. All of that had fallen onto my wifeB次元官网网址檚 shoulders.B次元官网网址�

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 B次元官网网址渟lightly out of place,B次元官网网址� so he needed to return to California for a second operation.

After the successful surgeries, Schickerowski got his learnerB次元官网网址檚 licence and was finally able get behind the wheel, as long as there was a supervisor in the vehicle.

B次元官网网址淒rivingB次元官网网址檚 scary at first. It was hard and I couldnB次元官网网址檛 believe how much you need to be aware of when driving,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚 was certainly a nervous wreck at first. But I pushed myself pretty hard B次元官网网址� I drove B次元官网网址� as frequently as possible. Every day, I pushed myself. It took about three or fours months to be completely comfortable.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淚 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. IB次元官网网址檓 able to just do that on my own now when I need it, when I want to. ItB次元官网网址檚 an absolutely incredible feeling.B次元官网网址�

Schickerowski says is B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 important for people to realize we shouldnB次元官网网址檛 give up on our dreams.B次元官网网址�

sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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