Instructor

[LuluJeanne]

Hello all, just wanna rant about my current instructor!

To cut a verrryy long story short, i've had many different instructors, (5) and with four of them, i didn't know i had dyspraxia, it wasn't until late last year, when i had my fifth instructor, that i found out i had dyspraxia.

Anyway i told him this from the start. he doesn't have a clue about it. infact i don't think he'd heard of it until i told him! Anyway i carried on with him because i was making good progress. However i've had countless days were the dyspraxia kicks in and i can't co-ordinate, judge gaps between cars, or concentrate. He ALWAYS tells me it's common sense to not be "able to fit through the cars" or its logic to "get into the correct gear"

GRRRRR! he's making me feel like an idiot! I've had enough of this! Sometimes i feel like the whole damn world is stuck in the dark ages! people just don't get how dyspraxia can affect driving. I get told i have no common sense or logic! Or by people at work i get told i have problems with my spacial awareness because i'm a woman!!

Unfortunately i'm taking my test next week, so i have to have that instructor, but if i fail, i will not be using that instructor AGAIN

Anyone had similar experiences? why can't people understand dyspraxia is a REAL condition, not excuses or intelligence or common sense! Why are their so many instuctors who don't understand how dyspraxia effects people?

*rant over*

[WTCCFan]

That makes me soooo bloody angry!! Who is this cad!

How DARE he insult, demean and demoralise you like that! Whoever you have he ain't an instructor. Independent is he? He is meant to up your confidence. Maybe that is why your failing. You have even said stuff that makes me think your lacking in self-confidence and sel-esteem. If I were you I would switch to using BSM. They are bloody awesome they are!!

I really don't know how I would have done without them. I am doing brilliantly and I have many traits of someone with Dyspraxia. Though maybe not as extreme as some sufferers of it. I started in September of last year and it has only taken me this long because I broke my wrist (badly) on Dec 28th when I slipped on the icy road when going to the car. It was a case of 5.9 for effort and a 6.0 for presentation. I didn't get back till about June or July I think. I have done one test and failed but without the two serious faults I would have passed. I have done the first of two lessons before my second test. It is all because BSM take you in hand and use very effective ways. They are more expensive but they are very very very very very pupil friendly.

A kid a few doors down recently purchased a Renault Clio to practice in but I think he is still on his driving lessons. I don't know how far he is on but I don't think it is as far as me and he is also with an Independent.

You mention about the gears. Here is a tip. When your up to 10mph get into 2nd gear. At 20mph get into 3rd. Then at 30mph get into 4th and once you have reached 40mph get into 5th. You can see the pattern. That way you are more efficent with the fuel and driver properly.

But tell me about what he meant when he said it is common sense not to be able to fit through the cars? I can help.

As for the people at work it is laughable they claim you lack spacial awareness because your a woman. I have an issue with it when driving. I am meant to slow down and change to 2nd gear exactly five car lengths from the junction. I cannot imagine five car lengths. It is clear they are just ignorant. My advice is to just ingore it or educate them. Just don't rise to it.

Good luck with everything and I hope I have helped.
xx

[Osymandus]

Spt on for that gears tip its how i was taught (my instrcutor was brilliant , i was a NAzi .. no really he collected memorabilia , but a lovely person )

Id complain about your instructor. There is a body that tests and adjudicates them (their rated between 1-6) so say you said you have a disability and we're treated poorly (technically you could get him under the DDA law but wait and see).

Those we harp on about common sense tend to not wish to think beyond their own perception . If you fal into a category, then that's it (they fact they have blindly followed what others have told them makes them teh lazy ones )