Jessica Haldin, who lost her limbs to meningococcal disease at age two, once believed driving was out of her reach. Growing up in Rockingham, a suburb of Perth, she watched her friends earn their driver’s licenses, symbolizing freedom she longed for but felt was unattainable. However, now at 33, Jessica is learning to drive using a specially modified vehicle equipped to accommodate her needs as a quadruple amputee.
Five years ago, Jessica’s coordinator encouraged her to pursue driving, assuring her that she could obtain a license and secure necessary funding. Today, her vehicle is fitted with a joystick for steering, braking, and accelerating, along with a voice-activated system for controlling indicators, the horn, and other features. Despite the initial anxiety, Jessica’s first driving lesson was a profound step toward independence.
The journey to this point wasn’t simple; securing approval and funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was a lengthy process. Yet, the possibility of gaining mobility and freedom has greatly excited Jessica. She expressed a desire to escape the confines of her home life, where she largely depends on her mother, and explore places like Margaret River and Albany on her own.
Tamlyn Macdonald, Jessica’s support worker, expressed pride in her progress, noting that helping clients achieve independence is the ultimate goal of the NDIS. She looks forward to transitioning from caregiver to friend as Jessica gains more autonomy.
Mikayla Kongram, an occupational therapist and driving instructor, highlights that Jessica’s story is becoming increasingly common as technology advances. She sees daily how vehicle modifications enable those with disabilities to drive, expanding their world dramatically compared to the pre-NDIS era. Despite some individuals still facing challenges due to physical limitations, technological innovations continue to broaden possibilities, allowing more people with disabilities to experience the independence of driving.
