Nicky Abdinor
Can you imagine dialling a number on your cellphone, using only your tongue? Typing an email using only your toes? How about driving a car with no hands? It all sounds a bit far-fetched, but for Milnerton clinical psychologist Nicky Abdinor, they are all part of her everyday life.
Nicky has recently started a Trust to assist other people with disabilities to have cars adapted and to raise the money she needs to buy a new car herself.“Being able to drive yourself to where you need to go is so important. It enables you to lead an independent lifestyle in spite of your disability,” she said.
Nicky was born with a condition known as Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD), which means that she has no arms and shortened legs. The condition is not genetic and its causes are unclear, although doctors do know that something goes wrong during the first 2 -7 weeks of fetal life that affects the development of the arms and legs.
“There was no particular reason for it,” she said. “But fortunately my parents were supportive, and didn’t listen to the doctors who doubted that I would cope with normal life.”
Her parents did a lot of research about PFFD, and started to communicate with someone in England who had the same condition.
“I was lucky,” Nicky said. “They treated me like a normal child. I went to mainstream schooling and I participated in all kinds of activities, including tennis and ballet!
“When everyone in my class started to learn to write, I did too... except I used my foot. I never saw myself as disabled because I was completely accepted for who I am.”
Nicky’s attitude to life is inspiring. She meets challenges head on with a sparkling sense of humour. When she finished school and decided to study psychology at Stellenbosch University, it was the obvious career choice for her.
“The only problem I had was that it was difficult to get around, and when I applied for my Masters, I had to prove that I could get to clinics to carry out the practical aspects of the course.”
Luckily, the woman in England who her parents had contacted so many years before had a car that she was willing to donate to Nicky.
“She had a child and needed a bigger car,” Nicky said. “Luckily she could offer me hers because she was getting a new car through the UK government’s Motability Programme which pays for the adaptation of cars for the disabled.”
The Honda 1995 that Nicky was given changed her life, and enabled her to lecture and work in hospitals around Cape Town. One of the most rewarding experiences was working at the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre in Mitchell’s Plain with patients who were dealing with the psychological adjustments to spinal cord injury and other disabilities.
In 2006 she had to start limiting her travelling distances because the trusty old Honda was beginning to give mechanical problems. With the extensive mileage and rust problems, it was recommended to keep the wear and tear on the car to a minimum to extend the longevity.
Now, four years later, Nicky needs to look into getting a replacement car to keep her independent and mobile.
“Unfortunately the technology to adapt a car for my needs is not available in South Africa, so I need to raise the money to buy a new car and have it adapted in the UK,” she said.
Nicky has already raised over R145 000 towards her R800 000 target, and is hoping to raise the balance by doing motivational talks, offering her car for corporate branding and by offering drives in her car to individuals, corporate and celebrities.
Driving with Nicky is quite an experience. She pushes a big red button with her left foot for functions such as turning on the windscreen wipers or indicators. Her right foot operates the pedals and electric switches for changing gears. The car is steered through a joystick shoulder cuff in the door, and the steering wheel spins at a rather alarming rate as she goes round corners.
“One of the best things about driving this car is seeing the faces of people in SUVs who see the steering wheel spinning with no one touching it!,” Nicky laughs.
Nicky, we salute you!For more information about Nicky and her car, visit http://nickysdrive.com.
Issued on behalf of Nicky Abdinor By HIPPO Communications
For further information please contact Beryl Eichenberger 021 556 8200 or 082 490 6652
beryl@hippocommunications.com or hipzone@mweb.co.za
Editor’s Notes:
In the hope that readers will make a contribution, the banking details are as follows:
Bank: ABSA
Account Name: NJ Abdinor
Branch Code: 632005
Savings account number: 923-367-0873
Swift code: ABSAZAJJ
Bank Address: Loxton Road, Milnerton, 7441, South Africa
Reference: Your first name and surname
