Another Incredible Success Story at Herts Ability: Karen Is Back on the Road!

We are absolutely delighted to share another uplifting success story from Herts Ability. Huge congratulations to our client Karen, who has now been formally assessed and confirmed fit to drive, regaining an independence that once felt uncertain!

Karen is pictured celebrating this milestone with Charis, Occupational Therapist, and Simon, Lead Driving Assessor (Driving Instructor) - a moment that represents not just a return to driving, but an extraordinary journey of resilience, determination and hope.

“I’m safe to drive again after five long months”

“What an end to 2025!” Karen says. “I passed my Herts Ability driving assessment and I’m safe to drive again after five long months.”

For Karen, driving has always meant freedom. Living in a village and having driven for over 40 years, being behind the wheel was key to her independence. But in 2025, her life changed dramatically.

Karen, a Teacher, had been looking forward to her summer holidays as usual. Just a week after climbing Snowdon, she headed to Croatia with friends. On the second day of her holiday, she suffered a massive cerebellar stroke.

“I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t see, I was constantly being sick and I had huge gaps in my memory,” Karen explains. She spent two weeks in a Croatian hospital before being flown home with a doctor. While trying to re-enter the UK healthcare system, Karen then experienced a TIA, resulting in another hospital stay.

By this point, Karen could walk slowly using a zimmer frame, though she veered to the left, and her left eye had been damaged. The road ahead felt daunting.

A journey of recovery, perseverance and support

Karen’s recovery involved an incredible multidisciplinary team - occupational therapists, physiotherapists, eye specialists and a psychologist - all working together to help her rebuild her life.

“They helped me relearn how to walk using just a stick, move my head without looking like a tin soldier, correct my vision, manage enormous fatigue and begin to live again - albeit differently,” Karen says.

She credits her progress to following professional advice closely and refusing to give up, even during moments of frustration. “I cried a lot, but I kept going.”

By the end of November, Karen’s occupational therapist felt she might be ready for a driving assessment with Herts Ability. The idea brought mixed emotions.

“I was nervous and excited at the same time. Driving is vital to my independence, but I didn’t just want to drive again - I wanted to know I was safe. The last thing I ever wanted was to cause an accident or hurt someone because of my condition.”

A supportive, reassuring driving assessment

From the moment Karen arrived at Herts Ability, she felt supported.

“The team were amazing! Everything was done at my pace, and they were very clear this wasn’t a driving test - it was an assessment to make sure I was safe.”

Karen completed cognitive assessments over coffee before heading out into a dual-controlled vehicle with Simon. Starting in a quiet residential area allowed her to rebuild confidence after months away from driving.

“I felt safe,” she says. “We took things slowly, and I had time to familiarise myself with the car.”

Gradually, the drive progressed into busier town environments. Karen noticed her confidence growing but also recognised her limits.

“I asked for a rest because the sensory overload was a bit much. We sat in the car for five minutes, talking through what I’d just done - navigating pedestrians, cars, motorbikes and lots of left and right turns.”

Once she felt ready, Karen continued, tackling faster roads, discussing road signs and ultimately returning to the Herts Ability centre.

“The whole time, I was reassured and made to feel completely at ease.”

“I’ve been given a second chance at life”

“At the tender age of 58, I’m a young stroke survivor,” Karen reflects. “But I’m determined not to let this shape my life or control me.”

She was told the first six months after a stroke are critical for recovery, and she embraced every opportunity for support.

“My advice to anyone going through something similar is to take all the help you can - including Herts Ability. This is an amazing service, and it was free for me following an OT referral.”

The moment she was told she was fit to drive again was life-changing!

“It felt incredible to drive to the chemist and pick up my own prescription. That might sound small, but it meant everything.”

Thank you, Karen, for sharing your story!

“Thank you, Herts Ability, for your care, compassion, understanding and positivity,” Karen says. “You’ve given me back my independence and the confidence that I am safe on the road.”

Karen’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, independence doesn’t have to end after illness or injury - it can begin again.

Driving Assessments Following a Stroke

After a stroke, people are legally required to stop driving for at least one month. For many, this is only the beginning of recovery, and a much longer period may be needed before driving can be considered again. The timescale depends on the severity of the stroke and the effects it has caused.

Many physical difficulties following a stroke can be accommodated through vehicle adaptations, such as steering aids or left-foot accelerators.

However, some conditions make driving unsafe. Perceptual inattention or neglect, certain visual field defects, and uncontrolled seizures are considered debarring conditions, and the DVLA may revoke a driving licence in these cases.

Driving is not permitted if seizures are present until they are fully controlled and the person has been seizure-free for at least one year. Cognitive changes are also common after a stroke, which is why cognitive testing forms an important part of the driving assessment process.

Common effects of stroke can include physical weakness or paralysis (often on one side of the body), changes to vision, difficulties with memory, concentration, spatial awareness and problem-solving, as well as emotional or psychological changes such as reduced confidence, anxiety or low mood.

Anyone experiencing ongoing difficulties one month after a stroke should discuss these with their doctor or occupational therapist. If lasting effects may impact driving ability, there is a legal requirement to inform the DVLA (or DVA in Northern Ireland) before returning to driving.

Need Help Getting Back on the Road?

If you or someone you know needs support to regain driving confidence, return to driving after illness or injury, or explore vehicle adaptations, our friendly and experienced team is here to help.

Try Driving with Adaptations

If you have a physical impairment, we offer the opportunity to explore a wide range of vehicle adaptations and transfer aids. Our dual-controlled fleet is fully equipped to help you find what works best for you!

📞 Call: 01707 324 581

📧 Email: driving@hertsability.org.uk

Together, we’ll help make independence possible!

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