Mom Regains Her Independence Behind the Wheel After Suffering a Stroke

For Amanda Shannon, driving again meant much more than simply getting from one place to another.

It meant freedom. It meant independence. And most importantly, it meant being able to take her children wherever they needed to go.

“I love driving now because I am free,” Amanda said.

Amanda suffered a stroke that initially left her unable to walk or talk. But as she worked to regain her strength and communication skills, she set another major goal: getting back behind the wheel.

As a mother to 9-year-old Addie and 7-year-old Dominic, Amanda wanted to once again handle the everyday trips that come with raising two busy children—including school, choir, dance, softball and baseball.

Because Amanda was recovering from a stroke, she could not simply begin practicing on the road. Instead, she worked with therapists at Cleveland Clinic and trained on a driving simulator.

Occupational therapist Christina Duncan said the simulator allows patients to practice driving skills in a controlled environment before it is considered safe for them to return to an actual vehicle.

Amanda continued receiving occupational and speech therapy and gradually regained much of the strength she lost following the stroke.

Her hard work eventually paid off. Amanda is now driving again and helping her children get to all the places they need to be.

She said she is grateful for the therapists who helped her regain such an important part of her life.

Amanda also has a message for others facing the difficult road of stroke recovery.

“Remember, always fight,” she said through tears.