Natasha and Stuart I'm Different: Let Me Drive

First, this car is in neutral. It's secured.

What about my eyes and ears? Are they in the middle of the head restraint?

They are now, yes.

Every year, in Britain,

over 1.5 million young people learn to drive.

You don't have to get on the bus, or a train...

Around 50,000 of them have a disability.

# Going to the toilet, going to the toilet... #

They would think, honestly,

what's HE doing slowing down when he doesn't need to?

But this isn't stopping them.

There will be people out there would go,

"Oh, you can't do this because you're autistic."

They don't like it, they should stay off the road, then.

But it does make things a little more challenging.

Now would be a good time to twitch.

Potentially, if I twitch, I could kill someone.

I feel like I want to stop now.

-You want to stop?

-Yeah.

Passing their test will change their lives.

I can drive to the music concert,

and I can see Boy George and, um, Dale Winton.

I can visit every single Scottish wind turbine.

From first lessons...

Wheee!

HORN HONKS

-Did he just beep at me?

-Stop!

Oh, my God.

-Oh, God.

-Sorry.

That was very efficient.

..to the day they take their test...

You have got your driving licence with you, haven't you?

-I haven't.

-No!

No! No! No!

..the road to success is no easy ride.

I just need a pass.

I hate walking!

This programme contains strong language

My leg's going.

Are you seizing up?

Yeah. My left leg's seizing up.

This is my room.

As you can tell, I'm mad about cars.

This is the reason I want to pass.

So that I can drive some of these amazing cars.

Especially a car like that one, there.

Porsche 911 Carreras S.

3.8-litre flat-6.

When you're disabled,

you don't necessarily believe yourself in thinking,

"I can drive," but when you DO drive,

when you've got as many conditions as I have,

that is something phenomenal.

24-year-old Stuart

has been learning to drive with his instructor Sarah

for a couple of months now.

'Ey up, where are we off to?

Don't worry. I'm all right.

We were going via the hedgerow, there, were we?!

Yeah. I can't quite...

Cross-country! He's hoping to take his driving test

in the next six months.

A lot of instructors wouldn't have taken me on for the principles of...

I am hard work.

Because of the different conditions I have,

I am learning to manage my conditions while driving.

No! Behave! 50!

You're getting that lead foot on again, aren't you?

No.

No. It means...

I've got my foot there and not realising I'm doing it.

Stuart was born with a rare chromosome disorder

that severely affects his joints.

I'm really going to need to sort out my foot supports.

-So, what's...

-Cos I'm really not happy with this.

OK. So, what's wrong with it?

My foot support is making my foot go to sleep and I can't feel it properly.

Shall we pull over and, maybe, can you adjust it?

-Or take it off?

-I can adjust it.

'My joint condition is called multiple epiphyseal bone dysplasia.'

Because my joints rub together,

it makes it difficult to drive at times.

His foot was falling asleep.

His support was on too tight and he couldn't feel the pedal.

He needed to loosen it off.

Do you want me to give you a hand there?

-We're in.

-Wonderful.

-Right, get your seat belt on now.

-Excellent.

'I have pain 24/7.

'It never goes away.'

And it can be really debilitating at times.

I have to say, I do apologise about that.

-I didn't expect that.

-No, Stuart.

You know you don't have to... Whoop!

..apologise. But now you've got feeling back in your foot,

there's no excuse for speeding. Aha!

Gotcha!

Super job.

Not a good day today.

Is it aching now?

-Yeah.

-Oh!

-I'll be all right.

-Are you sure?

-Yep.

-It's normal. It's just how I am.

-The way you are.

For Stuart to pass his test,

he needs to find ways to deal with the pain.

Hello!

-He's good for about an hour and a half, aren't you, normally?

-Yeah.

But, to be honest, when I get tired, I get tired.

Yeah. Obviously, it's my job to make sure he's safe on the road.

Building up his stamina, I think,

-is the right word, isn't it?

-Definitely.

Seat forward.

Another person hoping to pass their driving test soon

is 21-year-old Natasha.

Responsibility for safety is who?

Me.

Natasha has been learning with John for a couple of months now...

INDISTINCT

..and is still getting to grips with the basics.

-It's...

-Fucking kidding me!

Clutch down again.

Natasha's not new to driving.

She's been learning on and off for five years.

-Oop!

-Oooh!

Fucking hell!

..and has had over 100 lessons

with numerous instructors.

I know what my left is, because I write with my right hand.

But when it comes to driving, I have no sense of direction.

-What side of the road have you ended up on?

-That side!

You need to be on the left.

I think it's a part of the condition when I was younger and,

obviously, being hit with a car.

Well, two cars.

And it knocked my confidence a lot.

I was five years old and I was on a busy main road.

I got hit with a car. Flipped over that

and then another car hit me.

I had brain damage.

I couldn't talk, I couldn't walk, I couldn't write nothing.

I used to be very, very bright when I was a child.

Where, now, I'm thick as shit.

I don't understand stuff as quickly as what anybody else does.

Away from the curb a wee bit.

-HITS CURB

-Oh!

-Oh, God.

-Right, now look to where you want the car to go.

Perfect. That was a perfect pull-push.

-Was it?

-You that cannae do it(!)

What gear now?

That's it. Spot-on.

OK.

Oh, God. I'm stuck.

How did it go?

-Good-ish.

-Do you think she'll ever pass her test?

I have every confidence that she will.

I've been in similar situations before.

Yes. Similar students, with...

..similar challenges that HAVE succeeded.

I've got the wrong ones. Ha-ha!

These are my eye drops.

This one I have to have three times a day.

Stuart's got his theory test today

and his morning begins like any other.

It's a lot of tablets.

I think if we pick him up he'll rattle.

It's to keep me going.

Bit of a nightmare in the morning.

I often say it's my breakfast!

Stuart has spent most of his life in and out of hospital.

The most serious incident happened when he was 15.

Really scary, because I could have lost my life.

Yeah. His heart stopped.

He just collapsed in a shop.

-He's now got a...

-Metal valve.

..metal valve that keeps his heart going.

When you've had a near-death experience,

you realise that, actually,

life is important and you've got to live every day like it's your last.

So, here we go, then.

Type of emergency...? Doctor's car.

What is the typical stopping distance at 70?

How many have you done?

-Nearly there.

-Nearly there.

Let's get this done.

-Ready?

-OK.

-All right.

-Yes.

-Sure?

-Yes.

-OK.

Are you stiffening up, Stuart?

-He is.

-Yeah.

Are you going to be all right?

Yeah, I'll be all right.

Once I get going, it'll be OK.

That's better. Got butterflies, if I'm honest.

I really, really, REALLY want to pass.

Let's go.

Nearly half of those taking their theory test

fail on their first attempt.

This is Stuart's second go.

I'm going to go and collect him and see how well he's done.

Hopefully!

See you after.

-Thank you.

-MAN: Cheers!

-Bye.

-Well?

Well, a fail really wouldn't have been any good, would it?

-I passed!

-Yeah, well done!

You clever man!

I am so proud of you!

You've done it. Yes!

Let's go celebrate.

Yeah. So, what are we doing? A bottle of Schloer?

-Yeah!

-Remember, you've got to be sober for the morning -

you've got a driving lesson tomorrow.

How long have you waited for this?

-Years!

-Oh, you liar!

I have dreamed of this day

when I can say I'm heading towards my proper driving test.

-Oh, no!

-My blooming back.

-All right?

-Yeah.

-You sure?

-Careful.

-I've been sat too long.

-You OK?

-Yeah!

OK.

Yay!

So... You want quite natural?

Yes.

Right, close your eyes for a minute, hen.

And try and no' blink.

Stop your blinking!

Natasha's a trained beautician

and is hoping to start up her own business.

I used to work in a salon.

Obviously, I walked out.

Right, I'm just going to put a wee bit of brown just through.

If I could drive,

I would be a mobile beautician and grow my own business.

Like that. That.

Could be a bit scary,

having Natasha on the road.

With the temper.

She can flare up at the slightest little thing.

I do lose my temper quite a lot.

Like, the slightest thing someone could say to me and I would...

literally, go mental. I would...

..like, kick off to the max.

My accident has affected me in a lot of ways.

It's very hard for me to control my anger. Very hard.

-That's it, all done.

-Fantastic. You got a mirror?

-Yes.

-Very nice.

-Do you like it?

-I do.

Get yourself set up again.

With the makeover done, it's time for Natasha's next lesson.

-What have I done?

-You've brought the clutch up too quickly.

So, recheck.

-OK.

-She's been learning to drive with John for seven months

and today he wants to work on improving her concentration.

That's better.

-That's better.

-The big roundabouts,

that's one of my weaknesses.

-A bit more gas.

-HORN HONKS

Did he just beep at ME?

-Yes.

-Why?

-Why do you think?

SHE MUTTERS

Now, we're going to...

See, folk like that piss me off.

Concentrate on the road.

Right? OK. Keep the concentration going.

So I'm going to fucking burn her windaes out.

-Wait a minute.

-Stupid cow.

Concentrate on the road just now.

If you think about your approach to that roundabout

with that lady behind...

She was going very slow, that's why I just went.

Right. You...

And she's fucking old, and old folk don't even ken how to drive.

-Wait a wee minute.

-If you want to beep at learner drivers,

-you shouldn't fucking drive.

-Can I reverse that, then?

Could people be saying that about you?

I'm learning to drive.

Right.

Bye-bye, granny(!)

Keep the concentration on YOUR drive.

Then pull up on the left, behind the red car.

Clutch down, and stop. Good.

OK. How do you think it went today?

-All right.

-What was it we were working on?

Paying attention, practically.

If you're getting worked up about somebody tooting,

what does it affect?

My concentration.

And then the drive starts to deteriorate.

-These are rare dogs.

-What's wrong?

-Leg. Getting numb.

-Gone to sleep.

Stuart's driving is improving,

but his pain is getting worse.

I had a major problem with it last night.

-Oh, God!

-It was absolutely unbearable last night.

And it was in excruciating pain.

It was beyond bearable.

-Are you ready to run?

-Mm, yeah.

Not run with it. But, you know.

We'll take a steady walk out to the garden.

Are you sure you're going to be all right, mate?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll be fine.

Once I get myself going, I'll be all right.

Right. Here we go, then.

So, when you're ready.

Off we go, yeah.

Have a look. Get straight first,

because we're not really very straight, are we?

Today, Sarah wants the focus of the lesson to be on manoeuvres.

How irritating!

That is so irritating!

That is so frustrating. I knew I'd do it right and it was like...

Ugh!

Just under an hour into his two-hour lesson,

Stuart's getting worn out due to his constant pain.

I'm absolutely exhausted. I'm really struggling with this now.

Are you hurting?

A wee bit, yes.

Which bits are hurting?

Hands and foot.

Do you want me to drive you back?

-No, I'll be all right.

-Are you sure?

I'll be all right, I promise.

Just wish I had more energy for it.

Ohh...

If there comes a day when I need to get to hospital and, yes, I am

in pain, I need to do something,

I need to be able to manage it,

so it is better that I learn with it than without it.

Absolutely.

All right, so just bring it in.

That's it. Nice and steady.

-OK?

-Hopefully next week I'll be in a much better state.

Definitely.

All right, then.

All right?

Oh!

Tired.

Just very, very, very, very, very, very tired, now.

Yeah, knackered, aren't you?

Totally. That's the first time I've ever got this bad.

It can make you feel really low in yourself, in confidence.

Being able to drive is more than worth the pain.

Give Mummy your hand.

We can drink some of this nice milk, can't we?

Yeah. First day...

You'll need to wait to get to Nana's first.

Natasha's a single mum with two children, aged two and five.

It's a nightmare, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Would you like Mummy to pick you up from school in the car?

-Yes!

-Why?

Cos Emily doesn't like walking!

Makes my legs tired!

In case her legs get tired.

Emily, my wee daughter, she keeps going, "Mum,

"when are you going to pass your test? I don't like walking. It's raining. I don't like walking."

After dropping her daughter off at her gran's...

Right, so whenever you're ready, good luck.

..Natasha is about to take her mock driving test.

If Natasha can prove to John that she can conquer roundabouts,

take direction and control her temper,

he'll let her book the real thing.

If I want you to turn left or right, I'll let you know in plenty of time.

Are you still going to do, like, my left, your right?

-Do you want help with that?

-Yes.

Right, OK, so I'll go my left...

-..and your right.

-Mm-hm.

-OK?

-You're always right.

-I am always right!

Right, OK.

And if you can take the next turning to your right, please.

-This one?

-The next turning to your right.

This is a corner. I'm going to ask you to reverse around.

OK?

Reversing round a corner is one of the four manoeuvres

examiners can ask for in a test.

(Shit!)

-(Fuck.) Shit!

-Just sit.

-HORN HONKS

-I'm going to end up crashing into something!

-I thought he was going to crash into me.

-Take first gear.

-Carry on.

-I'm getting too stressed!

Keep the concentration going.

I'm going to fail anyway, so it's not going to make a difference.

I'm actually getting so stressed, it's unreal.

I just want to pass my fucking test.

-Fucking hell!

-Go into first gear.

I'm stressing the fuck out.

By the end of the mock test,

Natasha has notched up 20 minor faults and eight serious.

You need to improve.

I'm trying my hardest.

Yeah, right, it just takes longer.

I feel like an absolute halfwit.

No, no, no.

I need to drive. I've got two kids!

I actually just feel like...

not even driving at all, because I'm not going to be able to do it.

-You CAN do it.

-I cannae.

You can't give up. You've come too far to give up.

Natasha, I'm not joking.

At the beginning,

having difficulty keeping the car straight

up to actually sitting a mock test is quite an achievement.

You WILL get there.

You just need to bear with it a bit longer.

I just want to book my test.

I want to learn to drive.

I just need to pass.

Let's go and have a look and see what's available.

Yes, see what we can get.

Stuart's come to a car showroom with his mum...

Good morning, welcome to Mini.

-My name's Zoe, nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

..to check out suitable cars he can buy once he's passed his test.

What's going to be the most important thing for you in the car?

Well, to be honest, for me, I need to be able to either get, um...

..a wheelchair in or a scooter.

This is what it would look like normally if you raised the level.

I do think a scooter in the back of there...

or even this, collapsed.

It would go in the back of that.

He's only 24, he doesn't want to be driving a grandad vehicle.

I don't want to be driving a Berlingo!

Stuart may be looking for something practical,

but he spots another garage across the road.

-So you've come to look at the Porsches today, have you?

-Definitely.

-OK?

Can you manage?

Sit your bottom in first.

-That's it, he's in.

-There we go.

ENGINE STARTS

Wow!

The roar. It's...

It goes through you.

How do you think you'd feel, Stuart, driving a Porsche?

That would be the very biggest dream,

lifelong dream achieved.

Over the next few months,

the learner drivers continue to perfect their skills.

Next road in a bit - if you turn to your right, it's the third exit.

Right. Third exit.

With more hours behind the wheel,

Natasha's sense of direction is improving.

Stuart's also taking extra lessons and his stamina's building.

The only thing that I've got problems with today

is my hearing aids.

Keep an eye on your speed. Dinnae go over 30.

I'm doing just 30.

That's fine.

Natasha's driving has progressed so much,

she's even got the confidence to practise with her gran.

You're doing well.

And John and Natasha decide to book her test.

Things have taken a turn for the better.

Sometimes it just clicks into place

and it just stays there and they sail up to the test.

After 30 lessons, Sarah decides

Stuart is ready to take HIS test, too.

Booyah! Oh, yeah.

But he knows it's his pain that could get the better of him.

What happens if you just seize up when you're driving?

I would need to stop there and then.

-The big day.

-I know.

I'm really nervous, but I'm hoping...

I've worked so hard for it that I hope I can pass, cos if my nerves

get the better of me, I will cry.

Does it matter that Natasha doesn't know her left from right?

You do most of the time,

it's just occasionally if there's a lot of things coming up,

you get a wee bit muddled with it.

What about your temper? Can you control that?

I hope so!

I think so, I'm going to really try...

..today, especially.

OK.

I'm really, really determined.

I'm doing it for my wee girls,

because I know how much they want me to pass.

Natasha and John arrive at the centre and her driving test begins.

After five years...

-Fucking hell!

-..over 100 hours on the road...

Are they just beeping at me?

..and confusion over left and right...

Be on the left.

..can Natasha prove she's a good driver?

First thing we'll be doing...when I drive, is going to McDonald's.

Me and the kids, jump in the car.

"That's it, kids, we're off to McDonald's."

-Do you want me to do it?

-Go on, then.

You've got a big sticky-up bit just there!

That's a bit scary.

It's the day Stuart's been waiting for - his test day.

I was sat down thinking to myself last night,

the amount that I have been through

to get to this day has been phenomenal.

It's going to be quite a long day, though.

Yes.

-Are you worried it'll tire you out?

-Mm.

You go out there and you make that dream happen, yeah?

I KNOW you can do this. I KNOW you CAN.

Ready to run? Good lad.

Fantastic.

All right.

OK. So, mirrors, just check all your mirrors.

Get yourself all set up.

Don't rush.

I do worry a bit about taking tests,

because if I'm sore,

it's going to take it out of me.

I do think that that would make me fail.

And just pull in front of that red car,

just over here on the left-hand side.

All right?

Right, just turn the engine off for me.

How big a challenge will it be to pass your test?

Huge.

If I compare...

I can actually compare it to Mount Everest.

Stuart's overcome so much to be ready to take his test.

-Well done.

-Yes!

It's not just learning to drive,

it's not just independence,

it's a dream of a lifetime

and something really worth living for.

The hardest part of learning to drive is there's this niggling doubt in the back of your mind saying,

"Are you good enough?"

-How did it go, Natasha?

-Fuck off!

Didn't go too well.

50% of the time, Natasha went the wrong way.

-Went the wrong way?

-It was mostly rights -

when the examiner said, "your right",

Natasha went left.

Kept on going round and round the same sort of area,

so it was getting a wee bit more difficult.

Do you think she can ever pass, John?

Yes. It'll just take longer.

You've experienced that now.

Are you going to be as nervous the next time?

John hopes that failing her test won't damage Natasha's confidence.

Tomorrow will be different.

You'll feel different tomorrow, I guarantee it.

What would you say to someone who said you shouldn't be driving,

-you should never drive?

-I'd tell them to fuck off.

A lot of people would never think I'd be able to drive because

obviously I've been hit with two cars.

I'd show that if I can do it, anybody can do it.

All you need to do is work, and work hard.

Oh! What went wrong?

I'm really sorry...

but I passed!

Oh, yes! Really?

You've done it!

-Congratulations, Stuart. Really proud of you.

-Well done.

-Thank you!

Well done, Stuart, well done.

This is it, isn't it, Stuart?

You've done it. Now, what's the next goal?

-Drive a Porsche.

-You're going to drive a Porsche.

Herbie, your daddy's got something to tell you!

Do you fancy going for a drive with your dad now?

No, he wants a cuddle.

Are you in?

-Nice.

-Wow!

-Did you ever think this was going to happen?

-No.

Love it.

That's it, go on.

ENGINE ROARS

-Wow!

-There you go.

That's the one, Stu!

Chris from Bournemouth has safety on his mind...

I could overtake, but I'm not overtaking like this.

This is not something you just go to a theme park and ride a go-kart or

bumper cars, for Christ's sake.

It's nothing like that, at all.

Stop!

What about using your mirrors?

I am, I am, I am.

..while Cannadine from East London lets his mind wander.

You've got to focus, you've got to focus on something.

That's what Eshan said.

What is it that you think that we need to work on?

The focusing on the driving

and looking at the mirrors and a lot of stuff and...

it's all right, actually.

All the mirrors and the focusing.

You know.