WALLASEY disabled learner driver, Avril Kay, is back behind the wheel and making rapid progress after switching to BSM for her driving tuition.

Avril, who was born with cerebral palsy, is receiving tuition from BSM instructor Paul Hughes via BSM Mobility, the specialist programme which caters for the particular needs of people with disabilities and aims to help people of all ages to achieve a greater level of independence.

"I really struggled when I first started to take driving lessons and was close to giving up, but when I found that BSM was offering specialist training in an adapted car, I knew it would be the answer," said Avril, who is studying for A-levels in French, English and Business Studies at Weatherhead High School.

Currently taking lessons once a week, Avril gets on well with instructor Paul Hughes (pictured here), who has been professionally trained at the respected Banstead Mobility Centre, and has an understanding of the particular needs of disabled people, those born with a physical disability as well as students who need to undergo retraining perhaps as a result of illness or a stroke.

"You have to treat every disabled student as an individual and work with them so that they grow in confidence. Only by appreciating their difficulties can you give them the support they need to overcome these problems and make the most of their ability behind the wheel," said Paul.

Training is provided in the BSM dual-controlled Vauxhall Corsa, which has an automatic gearbox, power steering and seat height adjuster, and is equipped with a range of adaptations designed to cater for most kinds of disability. Avril uses the right hand single combined lever which activates the brake, accelerator and indicators. plus a steering ball, while the car is also equipped with an infra red switch which operates the windscreen wipers, horn and indicators.

"Nobody is suggesting it is easy, but Avril is really determined and is demonstrating that, with the right kind of tuition in an appropriately adapted car, driving is a real possibility for disabled people," concluded Paul.

Peter Millichap, who took over as manager of BSM's centre in Birkenhead last month, says BSM Mobility has been launched in the Birkenhead area in order to meet a growing demand for driving tuition from Merseyside's disabled community.

He said: "We hope more people like Avril benefit from the BSM Mobility programme, especially as disabled students tell us that passing their test is not only a major achievement, but one which significantly enhances their quality of life."

For information about BSM Mobility, contact BSM on 647-8176.

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