Hi Cindy,

I drive a normal car without any special aids. I have mild spastic diplegia
CP. I have a gas pedal extension because I am short. I originally took
driving lessons with a normal car, and was very, very nervous about it. I
took just the minimum amount necessary to graduate high school at the time.
Then I left it alone for a few years. Then I tried it again a few times and
then I found someone really good for me. I passed my test the first time.
Then I felt that I was still too nervous to drive alone, so I took more
lessons, only this time, I did it with hand controls. After that, I was fine
with a regular car without any special adaptations.

As for the startle reflex, mine isn't too bad most of the time. It sure helps
warn me when I am nervous. There are times when it comes up more than others
like when I get real nervous or anxious. However, as my riding instructor
keeps telling me: "BREATHE! all the way down to my toes" :-)) The one thing
that I have found that helps with it is besides trying to learn the concept
of relaxing is EEG biofeedback. It really reduces the startle reflex quite a
bit after a while. You do have to keep after it, but I think eventually, it
becomes less and less. I had a period of time where I didn't even jump when
someone out of the blue called my name.

Hope this helps,

Dina