It’s been almost exactly two years since things changed for me in a big way. I was in a single-vehicle crash on the 401 where I sustained relatively minor physical injuries compared to the severity of the crash, but the most lasting injury has been the PTSD and accompanying anxiety that has inhibited my ability to pursue my goals in life.
So many people have helped me in some way during the last two years and especially in more recent times as my mental illnesses pretty much blew up in my face. In the past 2.5 months I’ve come a long way in my recovery and it’s only through the work I’ve been able to do that I decided I was ready to drive on a 400 series highway today.
I reserved a Zipcar for the day (sorry Mom and Dad – it went on your Visa… But it was worth it!) and I went up highway 400 to Vaughan to watch the hockey tournament of one of the kids I babysit. Things felt good. I drove around up there in the heavy downpour without issue and by the end of the day I decided I was ready to drive on the 401 itself. Cody in the passenger seat, my music playing (thank god for Bluetooth!), and fresh made pizza to look forward to, all added up to a successful first venture back. I also got to drive a VW Beetle which was cool!
I’m not really thinking about it too much, just acknowledging the progress it represents. I’m still not ready for highway driving at a moments notice and I don’t feel comfortable driving with anyone else in the car on the highway, but this is a big step and I’m just going to leave it at that. Still lots of work to do.