Story and Photo copyright: Derry Jounal, 3rd July 2009
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An autistic Derry man is fulfilling the dream of a lifetime by learning how to drive.
Twenty one years-old Bryan Sutherland from the Waterside passed tests set by the DVLNI to get his medical driving licence. He is now learning to drive with John O'Donnell of 1st Choice Driving School.
His mother Ruby said the experience is fantastic for Bryan, especially as he missed out on a place in the army because of his Asperger's Syndrome.
Ruby explained that although Bryan has a high I.Q. he has problems interacting with society.
"We wanted to build up Bryan's confidence," she said. "After he completed his course in catering we asked him what he wanted to do. His first choice was the army, but when that didn't work out we made enquiries about him learning to drive.
"His supporter worker Kevin McDaid at the One Stop Shop in Glendermott found John O'Donnell who'd dealt with autism before and we haven't looked back.
"I rang the driving authorieis in Coleraine who told me Bryan would have to take some tests and he passed with flying colours."
Already Bryan's learned right turns and T-Junctions and is now preparing for his theory exam.
"I'm learning in an automatic car as we decided it would be difficult for me to master the manual gears and pedals," said Bryan. "It means I can concentrate on the road fully. I'm a little nervous but it's fun, I feel very safe when John is in the car with me.
"I've looked at cars and would like a Citroen Saxo or Ford Fiesta."
His instructor John O'Donnell said Bryan was progressing well with his driving.
"His skills are 100%," he said, "he's very sharp and alert. I have every confidence in Bryan obtaining his licence."
Ruby and Bryan fought a high profile campaign several years ago on human rights grounds to allow the 21 years-old to be educated at a secondary school in the city.
He was eventually enrolled as a pupil at Limavady High School but only after Ruby defied education chiefs and physically deposited the Kilfennan teenager at the school.
Bryan went on to pass numerous GCSEs and gain a qualification in catering.
He now works for an hour a week in a local cafe and volunteers for RNID, however his mother Ruby is sceptical about his future employment prospects.
"Because of health and safety considerations I have to pay extra insurance out of my own pocket for Bryan to work ," she said. "Other employers such as banks would consider Bryan a high risk because of his ability to recall figures.
"I have long campaigned for a care package to be put in place for Bryan. Bryan should have a place at a day care centre. Without the One Stop Shop we would have been lost, the problem is that there are services but run through Belfast, we need a North West initiative.
"Bryan was basically written off by the system when he was 15, we've had to fight for everything we've got. People think of Asperger's Syndrome and think of Dustin Hoffman in 'Rainman' when in reality, every situation is different."
[source: www.derryjournal.com]
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Photo: John O'Donnell from 1st Choice Driving School with local man Bryan Sutherland who has just started driving lessons with him.
