José Miguel Aznar Polo has just passed the ‘theoretical’ at the driving school and next month he begins his internship. Everything normal until here. Until he gets the bill for what it cost him the ‘whim’ of driving. The list is long: 400 euros for prior assessment, 2,300 in flights and accommodation just to go to the driving school, apart from the 700 euros for classes that every apprentice must pay.
But this is just the beginning. In January will have to pay another 2,300 euros to travel back to his driving school by plane, and rent accommodation for two and a half weeks to be able to do the internship and take the exam.
As you will surely approve the first time, because Juan Miguel is one of those people who achieve what they set out to do, he is already looking at cars and asking for quotes. But you can only drive five models, each one more expensive. He doesn’t care, “it pays”he says, “at the end of the day it is a payment that all drivers assume”, although he cannot ‘experience’ with a second-hand Ibiza like most beginners.
More obstacles. When you have your Volkswagen Caddy, you will not be able to mount it, start it and drive because it requires a joystick and a series of adaptations within the vehicle that cost around 40,000 euros. “In total, Being able to drive costs me 45,000 euros more than anyone else without disabilities,” denounces this 36-year-old Mallorcan computer scientist without arms who is trying to gain more autonomy to move around without depending on his family or friends.
“The bill doesn’t end there,” he continues. José Miguel also has to pay an extra 7,000 euros for an extended warranty on his future hand prosthesis, because the manufacturer only covers three years and public health does not pass a review until five. «I didn’t ask to be born like this; I just want to have the same opportunities as everyone else.; Now I have this opportunity to be one, but at a high cost of 56,000 euros,” says Aznar, who has created a crowdfunding to raise funds after consuming his savings.
“Help me fulfill my dream of driving”ask through the GoFundMe platform. «It not only means moving from one place to another but also new opportunities and adventures that previously seemed unattainable. “It is not a question of mobility but a symbol of freedom and autonomy.”
At 36 years old, despite his introverted but positive character, he has had to publicly remove his armor to make visible the inequality of opportunities suffered by people with disabilities. «Since I was a child I was raised ‘without hesitation’, as my mother says. He did the same activities as the rest of the children; I played soccer, did Physical Education and they signed me up to the Club d’Esplai de Sa Indioteria for excursions. I did taekwondo for 13 years and reached a black belt, I even appeared on TVE,” he summarizes naturally and without victimhood.
A year and a half ago it was said that “it was time to drive.” The death of a good friend was the turning point to change my life. He lost 30 kilos, started running and began the procedures to get two arm prostheses and a driving school. “At the clinic they told me that it was the first case of severe disability that had occurred to them and they referred me to the only driving school with an adapted car in Spain, which is in Bilbao, and I went there.”
He bought two flights from Palma to Bilbao, rented an apartment online near the driving school and traveled more than 600 kilometers from his home to get his driving license and fulfill his current challenge.
José Miguel needs a joystick to drive because he can’t turn a steering wheel. Through the joystick and personalized attention you manage it with the most functional stump at the height you need. Activate the turn signal or lights by voice. He uses the pedals without problems.
«Until they get into the car, they need assistance and are dependent. But once inside they are completely independent. “We give them life and make their lives easier,” highlights Iratxe Andrés, the owner of this driving school, who explains that since 2008 she has approved joystick driving in Spain for very severe disabilities.
“This Tuesday another student approved her driving license, a very difficult case because she had no arms or legs,” celebrates the teacher. Irrintziin Basauri, where there are currently five more students with severe disabilities getting their driving license. “Each case is a challenge”explains its owner, satisfied with being able to give this opportunity and “change lives”, thanks to the methodical comprehensive service that Irrintzi offers to people with severe disabilities. From obtaining a driving license to the personalized adaptation of your own vehicle.
Each apprentice is given an assessment test carried out by technicians, road traffic training teachers and engineers, and then a training program adapted to the needs of each student is developed so that they learn to drive with these adaptations. The DGT determines the suitability of the adaptations. Once theoretical and practical have been approved, the Irrintzi workshop also adapts the vehicles.
José Miguel smiles when he remembers his first practice behind the wheel. «The first ten minutes were exciting and tense. “I was nervous, but I felt free driving,” he recalls. Now He wants to feel that freedom in his native Mallorca. Being able to go to work every day alone without having to involve your parents or your friends. Do not walk 3 kilometers from your house to the first train station to go to your workplace. Being able to go wherever you want. “Not depending on people.”
Write on the computer with the stumps
Aznar always surpassed himself. He studied computer sciencewrites on the computer with his stumps and leads a normal life except for the limitations he faces. She does occupational therapy to gain autonomy and with the help of her therapist, Laura, she is managing to gain greater independence in daily activities.
Making beds, cutting meat, eating soup, taking off socks or tying shoelaces… They were things he couldn’t do alone and now he can. To see this daily improvement you have to go to their channel ‘Bracitos con queso’. A public exhibition that still makes her blush but that she has overcome thanks to the push of her super friend Andrea Tollar.
In December, arm prostheses arrive. In February he hopes to get his new driver’s license plate. And after all the sacrifice and disbursement, You will not be able to drive because the car adaptation is missing valued -another 38,000 and 42,000 euros-. “The only aid that exists is 2,500 euros, through the Mallorcan Institute of Social Affairs (IMAS), but I have been left out because I exceed – just barely – the income limit of 21,000 euros,” he laments.
Their hopes are pinned on crowdfunding. «Each donation brings me closer to the goal. Every contribution, no matter how small, is one more step to freedom and independence. “I need your help to fulfill my dream.” She already hugs him with ‘cheese arms’.
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