Posted by Wes on June 30, 2003 at 23:45:49:
In Reply to: Diabetic in a flap with DMV posted by Ellen on June 30, 2003 at 17:16:18:
Deja Vu,
Many years ago, before I realized that bureaucracy was synonymous
with evil, and that doctors don't have all the answers, I was snared in
this trap. After having just passed my drivers exam I was jumping
through the expected hoops to get my license. I had been diabetic for
3 years at the time and was in good control, considering the stone
age tools we had to work with back then. I checked the infamous
"diabetes" box, and the experience turned into an instant nightmare.
I took the required form to my doctor (you know the one - Dr. "Just
do what I say and you'll lead a normal life. I won't bother explaining
details. You're the patient and I'm the doctor") . Instead of simply
stating the truth; that I had no discernible complications or
concerns, he wrote that a condition of my driving should be re-
evaluation every three months. He wanted to make sure I was back
seeing him regularly, and used the situation to ensure his control
over me. Completely unnecessary, I might add, being as I was
already seeing him at the prescribed interval.
The DMV saw it a bit differently and denied my license "until I
achieved better control over my condition".
It was explained to me that "driving is a privilege, not a right". That
means the DMV can require a potential driver meet any number of
criteria no matter how seemingly inequitable.
I did what I had to do. I went to the neighboring state, used my
family's summer cabin as the home address and got a license in that
state - one of the few that had no stipulation for diabetes. I didn't
see it as doing anything wrong. After all, what does it say about the
legitimacy of such stipulations in the first place, when the state next
door has none of the sort?
Wes