COLUMN: The best day of my life
Before you read any further, take a brief moment to set aside all the generalities and stereotypes you probably have about any number of people. The story I'm about to tell you is very true, and very awesome.
Let's get this out of the way. I'm blind, so the experience I'm talking about is extremely unique.
In the summer of 2012, I had the pleasure of driving a 1975 Corvette.
For those of you who live in southeast Michigan, there is what's called "Downriver." Around this area, I went with my dad and some longtime high school friends of his to an automobile cruise. It wasn't very exciting for me, but what happened after was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had.
It had always been a dream of mine to be able to drive. All legalities aside, I went with one of my dad's friends, who's kind of a kid at heart, so he didn't mind the fact I was driving his beautiful blue baby.
As I sat myself into the driver's seat and Mike got in the passenger's seat, my heart began racing. I could really feel it now, but I still couldn't actually believe I was going to be able to drive this thing.
Needless to say, Mike helped steer, since that was sort of his area of knowledge. I gassed and braked appropriately.We worked as a team, if you will, where he would give me verbal commands so I didn't crash us into any light poles, street signs or even at one point, a cop who we both waved to.
It was a beautiful summer's afternoon.
The windows were down, the sun was hot, a smile was plastered on my face and the wind was whipping through my hair.
We were cruising a good 60 miles per hour at some points, and I loved just hearing the engine go full throttle on the wide open road.
It's something you can't particularly describe unless you've experienced it.
I think most people take the ability of being able to drive for granted. Most people can just jump in their cars and drive, and they don't give it a second thought.
This was a whole new experience for me. I was actually driving a car.
It was one of those once in a lifetime experiences I probably won't have again, which is why that was probably one of the best days of my life.
