The exciting news is that the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) have agreed to develop the technology I use to drive! After a few months of meetings and discussions, I have had confirmation from their Technology Transfer Office that the project will start in January 2012. The driving force (excuse the pun!) of this collaboration has been Mugendi M’Rithaa who is a leading designer and out-of-the-box thinker! I was introduced to Mugendi through Mark Swartz (Chairman Industries) and I have been INSPIRED, ENABLED and MOTIVATED by his vision and enthusiasm!

Some frequently asked questions

Why is this technology not yet available in South Africa?
The joystick steering technology that I use to drive has been available in the UK for over 20 years primarily due to a funding programme called Motability that offers vehicle adaptation specialists a guaranteed and sustainable market. South Africa has had no such organisation. Most people with disabilities cannot afford the car adaptations – having a car modified is seen as a luxury in relation to other expenses such as medical, care and assistive devices. South African car conversion specialists cannot afford the design and manufacture of this technology without a guaranteed market. Nicky’s Drive aims to change this!

Is there a market in South Africa for this technology?
In South Africa, there is a large population of people with disabilities who require this sophisticated technology to be mobile and independent. Mobility and independence are vital for employment and being active members of our society. Our public transport is mostly inaccessible for special needs. The joystick steering offers a driving solution for many different disabilities, including amputation, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, stroke, spina bifida, and many other disabilities where there are limited options to drive. The costs of obtaining this technology in the UK are way above the means of most South Africans (exceeding £40 000 for my specific car adaptations).

What is the solution?
It is the long-term vision for Nicky’s Drive to make this technology available and more cost-effective in South Africa. With Nicky’s Drive, people with disabilities can apply for financial assistance to have a vehicle adapted to suit their specific needs (much like the Motability programme in the UK). This project has the potential to change the lives of thousands of South Africans living with disabilities!

OUR PROJECT:
CPUT will support Nicky’s Drive with the Research and Development of the assistive technology. We have also entered negotiating agreements with “…XYZ Design” (the leading Industrial Design consultancy in the region) for support of the Universal/Inclusive Design aspects of the project. We will be submitting proposals for financial support of the project as we believe it could compliment national strategies and imperatives under the auspices of the Regional Innovation Agency.

I will be the “guinea pig” for this project – CPUT will develop the technology in close collaboration with me. The first vehicle adapted will be specifically designed for me, so that I can guide the team on what works and what doesn’t work. Following the completion of this project, we can expand to help other people with disabilities with the technology, which will be more affordable and accessible to South Africans.

VEHICLE SPONSORSHIP:
For this project to move forward, we are looking for a vehicle sponsorship. The CPUT designers are ready and waiting to get started!

The sponsored vehicle needs to be automatic and have a large enough boot for a motorised wheelchair and hoist. Possible vehicles include the Volkswagen Caddy or Touran, Hyundai ix35, Honda FRV or CRV, or Toyota Rav4.

Not only does a car manufacturing company have the opportunity to play a role in changing the lives of people with disabilities across South Africa, but it is a great marketing opportunity for the brand! We would be open to car branding and any advertising or media coverage. We plan to document the project from start to finish.

Watch this space for more exciting developments!

]]> http://www.nickysdrive.com/2011/11/28/cput-nickys-drive/feed/ 2 http://www.nickysdrive.com/2011/11/21/rolling-rough/ http://www.nickysdrive.com/2011/11/21/rolling-rough/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:54:22 +0000 Nicky Abdinor http://www.nickysdrive.com/?p=393

Caroline Rule is an Occupational Therapist based in Pretoria who has an incredible passion to help people with disabilities. She started “Driving Ambitions,” a driving school specifically for people with disabilities. She does thorough assessments on each person, making sure that they have the cognitive and physical ability to drive and determine what adaptations are necessary. I only wish I could clone Caroline so that she can set up similar centres around South Africa!
On 20th November 2011, Caroline organised the “Rolling Rough” event where about 65 people with disabilities got the opportunity to test drive different types of quad bikes, side by sides and buggies fitted with hand controls.

In a feedback email, Caroline wrote:

It was just wonderful watching the smiles and seeing the sparkles in those eyes as people came back from a ride, sprayed with mud and covered with dust – but overflowing with pleasure!

For a person with a disability it is not normally possible to test drive a bike before they buy it because they need hand controls to test it. For a number of other people this was a first opportunity to ride one of these types of vehicles, and for many a dream come true. I love the sight of empty wheelchairs – especially when I know that the user is out having heaps of fun in an environment that is not normally accessible to them. The freedom that these off road vehicles can offer a person that is normally restricted to wheelchair wheels, is hard to appreciate for an able bodied person who can go where they want, when they want, but when you see that joy written all over someone’s face, it makes every bit of effort worth it!

We had a couple of guest there who were injured while riding or racing these types of vehicles. It was such a privilege to see them get back behind the wheel and start rediscovering the joy and the rush that this sport had always given them. I hope that this will be the first step in giving them back that freedom and that passion for life!

Caroline can be contacted on rule@global.co.za or 083 560 6886

Kenridge Primary certainly knows how to INSPIRE, ENABLE and MOTIVATE! A Grade 7 student, Emma Rossouw, heard about Nicky’s Drive through her parents (her dad was my supervisor when I was doing my Master’s degree at Stellenbosch). Emma is the Cross Country Captain and had an idea to raise funds for a charity. She approached her teacher, Jenny Fisher, with the idea to run a “Cross Country Cares” event for Nicky’s Drive – what incredible initiative and care from a 13 year old! Emma and her friend, René Esterhuysen, made posters to advertise the event to the school.

On a cold and windy August day, a large group of Kenridge Primary students, parents and teachers gathered for the event. I gave a talk to the boys and girls beforehand, motivating them to “Always do YOUR best” and “Never give up!” These students certainly took my message to heart and blew the teachers away by running non-stop in the bitterly cold weather! Each child was sponsored per kilometre – I think most parents and sponsors had no idea how motivated these students were!

The school raised an unbelievable R32 000 for Nicky’s Drive!!!

I visited Kenridge Primary on 30 September 2011 to thank them in their assembly for their contribution and sheer determination. I wanted to do something special for the school and especially, Emma. A friend had the brilliant idea to donate a “Nicky’s Drive” trophy to the school, awarded annually to a student who “Inspires, Enables and Motivates.” Emma was a well-deserving first recipient! It was an honour to give Emma a token for her initiative, kindness and goodwill. Watch out world – here comes Emma!

Kim van Schoor and Amelia Hayes are two beautiful women – inside and out! They founded “Woman2Woman,” an organisation that hosts charity events four times a year in the Blouberg community. The events aim to encourage women to come together to share their passions, skills and networks, while at the same time, raising funds for a particular charity.

On 24 September 2011, Nicky’s Drive was fortunate to be selected as the recipient for the charity breakfast at Moyo, Eden on the Bay. Over 120 women (along with Michael Cerfontyne as the guest speaker!) came together for a fabulous morning of good food, company and entertainment.

There were many generous sponsors for the event, donating lucky prizes and items for auction. The sponsors included Accessorise, Inglot, Samsung Air, Slaley Wines, Old MacDaddy Luxury Trailer Park, Fossil, Car Lashes, Blouberg Medi-Spa, One & Only, Julia’s Cakes, Intaba Flowers, Irit Noble, Jo Blair Photography, Hummer Bugs, Sir David Baird, Protea Hotels, Photogenix and many more.

The event raised R15 000 for Nicky’s Drive! Thank you to Kim and Amelia and all the ladies who attended the charity breakfast – Nicky’s Drive appreciates your support!

Visit Woman2Woman to read more about their future events. It’s a fantastic way to spend a morning with friends and at the same time, supporting a worthy cause.

]]> http://www.nickysdrive.com/2011/09/25/woman2woman-charity-breakfast/feed/ 0 http://www.nickysdrive.com/2011/07/25/mandela-day/ http://www.nickysdrive.com/2011/07/25/mandela-day/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:03:22 +0000 Nicky Abdinor http://www.nickysdrive.com/?p=347

Nelson Mandela dedicated more than 67 years of his life to make South Africa what it is today, so what better way for me to spend 67 minutes on his 93rd birthday empowering young minds!

Thanks to the power of social media, I tweeted for suggestions on where to give a motivational talk. Chris De Wet, the Fundraiser for Friends of Vista Nova, made contact with me. He proposed that I spend my 67 minutes at Vista Nova, which is a school in Cape Town that caters for learners with physical and learning disabilities that are not yet ready for mainstream schooling.

On Mandela Day, 18 July 2011, I gave a motivational talk to the High School and was blown away by how engaged and responsive the learners where. I loved their questions, my favourite being “Have you ever been pulled over by the police?!” My response: “I long for the day I get pulled over and need to hand over my licence with my foot!”

One of the teachers at Vista Nova emailed me:

“I just have to tell you how inspired I feel after your session with us and the learners. Our learners are still raving on about how you make disability seems like a walk in the park ”

I decided that Mandela Day doesn’t need to happen once a year… I would like to offer a monthly motivational talk to schools as my way of giving back! I have already booked a date in August to speak at Vista Nova Primary School. What better way to INSPIRE, ENABLE and MOTIVATE!

On 22 June 2011, we held a launch event for NICKY’S DRIVE where the committee invited various sponsors, contributors and key role players. The purpose of the evening was to celebrate the registration of Nicky’s Drive as a non-profit organisation (086-364-NPO). It was a great opportunity to network and update everyone on our progress and future plans!

Lloyd Dicks, a fellow Toastmaster, was the MC for the evening and did a great job. Martelize Brink, a presenter for Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) was a guest speaker. Martelize and I were fellow Maties and housemates at Stellenbosch University. It was great to have Martelize share her experiences of meeting me in first year (how she couldn’t understand how I possibly finished exams early writing with my foot!) and how she was inspired to drive an adapted car. Martelize also emphasised how driving has enabled her to be independent and have a successful career in Radio where she travels a great deal across the country.

Some special messages of support for our launch:

MESSAGE FROM HELEN ZILLE (Western Cape Premier)

On behalf of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, I warmly welcome all of you to the official launch of Nicky’s Drive, which is now a registered non-profit organisation.

I regret not being able to make tonight’s launch to deliver this message in person and I would like to thank Lloyd Dicks for reading it out on my behalf.

I was privileged to meet Nicky and to drive with her in her modified car last November. She is an amazing woman. I left our meeting feeling inspired by her tremendous courage, tenacity and her can-do attitude.

There are millions of people living with disabilities in South Africa. Each one faces numerous challenges on a daily basis, particularly in accessing educational and economic opportunities.

By modifying vehicles to cater for each individual’s disability, Nicky’s Drive gives people the opportunity to find decent work to support themselves and their families. It offers a sense of freedom and self-reliance that literally changes lives.

It is crucial that government and the private sector work together to ensure the rights of people living with disabilities are defended and promoted. We must do all we can to increase their access to educational, economic and other opportunities in life.
The work done by Nicky’s Drive and the role she plays as a motivational speaker debunks the stereotypes and stigmas around people with disabilities.

I would like to thank everyone here this evening for the support they have shown for Nicky’s Drive and the contribution they have made towards getting the organisation off the ground.

Nicky, I wish you and your organisation all the best for the future. I am confident that you will continue to touch the lives of the disabled and able-bodied alike through your positive attitude and your inspirational work.

JO-ANN STRAUSS (Former Miss South Africa and Top Billing Presenter)

Getting the chance to drive with Nicky was an experience which surpassed driving in 7 figure super cars in exotic locations– she is such an inspiration! I think that I enjoyed watching other drivers’ expressions the most when they looked across and saw a very capable driver who looks a bit different. Seeing her on campus at Stellenbosch University always made me think what a strong and positive person she is and then having the chance to have a chat inspired me so much. She takes on any challenge with the tenacity and drive she’s always had and I love her sense of humour. She joked that she wished she could give the taxi’s the middle finger on occasion -her positivity is absolutely contagious! Nicky, you’ve got drive!

ZELDA, CHAELI AND ALL AT THE CHAELI CAMPAIGN

Today is a culmination of many things: months of research about how to start an organisation; weeks of debating the correct wording of your constitution; days of searching for the right people to serve on the Management Committee; hours on the phone checking that Social Development has processed your application and many minutes of reflection on all the possibilities that could and should be included in the projects that you want to run.

Ultimately Nicky’s Drive – the NPO – is just the logistical outflow of Nicky’s drive – the way your possibility and ability has been framed by your parents, the positive way in which you tackle life and grasp opportunities and the inspiring way in which you transform the way people think about ability. We at The Chaeli Campaign are privileged to have rubbed shoulders with you in the start-up phase of Nicky’s Drive and are excited and honoured to partner you in any way we can in the future. Good luck as you embark on this journey of changing lives and opening up the world to all who will benefit from Nicky’s Drive initiatives in the future.

Thank you to our sponsors for the launch:

Lagoon Beach Hotel (venue and plasma screen)
Slaley’s Wines (our exclusive wine sponsor for the evening)
Julia’s Cakes (for the GORGEOUS cake – it tasted as good as it looked!)
Opulence Flowers (for the beautiful orchids)
Rocket Signs (branded licence disc holders)
Lynette Roux (electronic invitations)
Sandra Dicks (photographer)
Kaapzicht and Nitida (wine gifts)

On South Africa’s Human Right’s Day, 21 March 2011, I had the privilege of meeting William Smith. William is 13 years old and comes from a farming community in Worcester, a small town outside of Cape Town in South Africa. While searching for bird’s nests with his younger cousin, William climbed an electricity pylon and was electrocuted. He lost both of his arms and was badly burnt. He has been receiving treatment at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital for the past 4 months. It was there that he met American art therapist, Sascha Archer, who has been volunteering at the Burn Unit and formed a special bond with William. For the past six weeks, film producer Jo Higgs (Go Trolley Productions) has been following William’s journey of adjusting to life without arms and his re-integration into his community.

William had never met someone without arms before, so our meeting was made a surprise. Jo’s idea was to have him me to see how I manage without arms, not only to give him a few practical ideas, but also to give him some hope. William took the surprise meeting in his stride. He was initially shy, but his big smile and infectious giggles told me he was enjoying the encounter! I showed him how I type with my foot and played two videos of when I was younger. I think the highlight for William (and for any boy!) was going for a drive in my car! I let William try out my hydraulic joystick steering with his left stump and he gleamed with excitement when he saw the wheel spin!

William has such a gentle nature with a big smile and you can’t help but get attached to him. He has many challenges ahead and I hope that our meeting inspired him to realise that anything is possible. He certainly inspired me!

The documentary “Driving William” will have its debut screening at the Labia Theatre (Orange Street, Cape Town, South Africa) on Saturday 2 April 2011. There will be two screenings, 18h30 and 19h30 and tickets are R50 (all proceeds go to William’s future care). Contact the theatre directly for bookings on +27 424 5927 as seats are limited. See you there!

Many people are asked, “If you could invite anyone in the world for dinner, who would they be?” I have a different idea – if I could take anyone in the world for a DRIVE, who would they be!

The current Premier of the Western Cape, Helen Zille, was high on my list and when I saw her at a book launch, I grabbed the opportunity! Her office set up a meeting for the following month, much to my delight.

A few days before our meeting, I met with the Premier’s Protocol Manager, a lovely man named Bertie. He went through the “procedures” for our meeting, including the location (my office) and the route I would take for the drive. I was told there would be security and the Premier’s vehicle will follow us for the drive (definitely no blue lights!). Like a good Protocol Manager, Bertie asked me to take him for a quick spin just to make sure I could really drive!

The day of the meeting was upon us, Bertie and his security had arrived, but where was Helen? She was delayed in a meeting with President Jacob Zuma! I could just imagine her going through her diary that morning: 10h00 Meeting with the President; 12h00 Drive with Nicky! I could wait ☺

When Helen did arrive (profusely apologetic about being late), we went straight for a drive. In hindsight, I probably should have chatted with her before so that she could get an idea that I am a capable (and responsible!) person – going through the video footage, I see she was rather hesitant at first (in all fairness, all my passengers are nervous at first!). I also should have taken Bertie’s shaking of his head as a sign NOT to tell Helen that my beeper system (the button that operates the indicators, etc) was not working just as we are getting into my car!

As we made our way out of the parking lot of Milnerton Medi-Clinic, my beeper system miraculously started working! This was to be a phenomenon on Celebrity Drives to follow (Note to future passengers and the Traffic Department: the beeper system has since been fixed!). Helen soon relaxed, not only because I could now indicate, but hopefully because she could see that I was a safe driver!

Following our drive, we had tea in my office and discussed my experiences growing up with a disability and most importantly, my plans for Nicky’s Drive.

Helen Zille certainly lived up to my expectations – she is such a strong and determined woman (I often think she must have the toughest job) and the Western Cape is so fortunate to have her fighting for us. She is so down-to-earth and easy to talk to and I was so grateful for the hour she took out of her busy schedule to meet with me. Thank you, Helen!

In high school, I always remember that the greatest part about turning 17 was to get your learner’s licence. Our parents did not quite see this in the same positive light! The envy of the school was always the first Matric student who turned 18 and was able to drive themselves to class – one way to instant popularity!

I had to wait a few more years before I could learn to drive a car. I imagine that most people thought I was slightly delusional that I would be able to drive! The reason that I knew it was possible was because I knew of another woman in England with the same disability, who had been driving an adapted car for many years. The fact that she could drive, kept me motivated that one day I could do it too!

If you have a physical disability, it is so important to get a thorough assessment on your driving needs and capabilities. When my adapted car was donated to me, I had to visit the Mobility Centre in Surrey (England) where they assessed the strength of my shoulder and right leg to steer, brake and accelerate, as well as my reflex time to “hit” the brakes. This was vital to me being able to drive my car comfortably and most importantly, safely!

I absolutely cringe to hear stories of people who have had a car adapted, but on completion, they found that they could not drive it. Besides the financial cost, imagine the disappointment! This could be avoided if you had a proper assessment. Caroline Rule, an occupational therapist based in Pretoria, has started a driving assessment centre which aims to provide a service very much like the one I visited in England. Her organisation is called “Rolling Rehab.”

So, you think you can drive? If you have a physical disability and hope to drive a modified car, be in touch nicky@nickysdrive.com . The first step will be to have a comprehensive assessment to see what modifications will be necessary and your strength and ability to drive an adapted vehicle. The second step will be to find a conversion specialist who will be able to adapt a car for you. Thereafter, we will look at fundraising!