Driving Me Up the Wall

I've tried to describe to those closest too me what it is like to try to drive, how draining it is even to go a short distance and how fatiguing the sensory overload can be. I came across this article today that explains it all pretty well.

I didn’t drive for the better part of the first 4 years I was sick. Almost 20-years in I have made a total of 1 drive 45 minutes from home, 2 drives 90 minutes from home (and these both several years ago at my most healthy season), but typically have to keep everything within a half hour radius of the house (on my best days) or someone else has to drive. I too have learned when I just simply have to hand over the keys and cannot safely navigate a vehicle even for a 5-minute drive. It is a constant fear that I will spend too much of my mental/physical reserves getting myself somewhere or use up more than planned while I’m there, then not have the energy to get myself safely back home again.

I also have trouble plotting out how to get from point A to point B even if I know the area well. I’ve gotten lost many times and often have to backtrack or end up taking the most lengthy/complicated route somewhere because I have to keep re-adjusting for turns I forgot to make or exits I passed by, etc. My husband bought me an in-car-navigator for Christmas a couple of years ago and it has been very helpful, but sometimes I even have a hard time following those directions.