Vocal Voices

I was driving towards the Asda car park entrance when this car in the car park mounted the curb and hit a tree, then came again only the second time it was slow and the curb stopped the car.

I originally thought that it was some nut jobs trying to get out over the verge because of the queues at the entrance, but no.

An old lady had had an issue and couldn't remember what happened. She was a bit shook up and more than a bit out of it, but luckily her neighbour was nearby in the car park and had also seen it, Between us we made sure she was as well as we could then we formed a plan.

He drove her home in her car with me following. We made sure she was OK, sat her down and made a cuppa, called the RAC because the radiator had a slow leak, called the doc who will call in and check on her, and called her daughter to come round and give her some support. I then took the neighbour back to Asda to pick up his car and we continued our shopping.

She's 89 and the neighbour is going to have a word with her daughter about her driving. What was it? It could have been a very mild stroke, even a mini-mal fit or a simple short blackout.

Hopefully she will be fine, but most of all that she can be talked out of driving. There comes a time for us all to give up.

That was a kind thing to do Frank.
And yes, it sounds like it is time for her to stop driving.

Yes poor lady but it was probably her means of getting out and her independence
I hope she is ok and we'll done Frank and all concerned

That was kind of you WM x

Hope she gets over the shock soonest but stops driving.

It does sound like the end of her driving days, but it can be very, very difficult to persuade an elderly driver that it's time. I remember a few years back when D had a funny turn - not whilst driving, but she was told not to drive until her test results were in. Could any of us stop her? Not a hope. I dread the day when she finally must give up, she's a very determined and independent person and driving is her lifeline - but that day must come, for her sake and for others

I had a phone call a couple of hours or so ago from Thomas, the neighbour. Her daughter brought him the car keys to hand over to Hyundai for when they call to pick up the car for repair and asked if he would "look after" them for a while when the car was returned. She's taking it seriously, thank God.

But it is a tough call, as I know from my ex FiL. His son had to "steal" the car keys to stop him driving. Boy did it cause ructions.

Bless you for stoppimg and taking the time to help Frank, poor lady.

My lovely Aunty recently had a minor stroke so she’s no longer able to drive. She’s fine in herself but is now easily confused. It’s such a shame as she’s filled her time driving around visiting people, taking friends to appointments, shopping for others etc.

Well done, WM, for taking the time to help her and her neighbour to get her home.

The driving issue is very difficult. Perhaps not so much in Leeds, but here, like Kaz has said, a car is a lifeline; it would be difficult to function without one - you'd be reliant on the local taxi firms for shopping if you weren't internet-savvy.
I guess it's up to each individual to come to their own "realisation" as to when their driving days should be over.

Frank just catching up on this - and wanted to say thanks for what you and the neighbour did / are doing. My mom is 83 and still drives; admittedly only to the local shop but still - this so easily could have been her. And I just hope and pray that if something like this ever happens to her, that someone like you is nearby and does what you both did. So many people would have just hooted and shouted or ignored.