Henry Hits the Road

Learning to drive is one of the biggest milestones in a teenager’s life.

It marks a major step toward independence and opens the door to new levels of freedom and responsibility. For a teenager with a physical disability, that milestone can come with added challenges, and 17-year-old Henry is more than ready for it.

Henry has been a patient at Shriners Children’s Erie since he was just 4 years old. Born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, and having experienced a stroke in utero, he has overcome more than his share of challenges. Through his determination and the steady support of his family and a dedicated therapy team, Henry has made remarkable progress in both physical and occupational therapy. With years of hard work behind him, the next step in Henry’s journey toward independence was learning to drive.

Getting his permit didn’t come without a few bumps in the road. Henry failed the written portion of the exam the first time, but he didn’t let that discourage him. He studied hard, took the test again and passed. “It felt awesome to pass,” he said with a proud smile.

Henry’s mom, Natalie, recalled just how challenging the process was to get his permit. “There were so many dead ends and conflicting answers. Every person we spoke to had something different to say, and we could never get a clear, consistent path. It was incredibly frustrating,” she said. “But we never questioned whether Henry would drive. It was always just a matter of when.” While they awaited answers, they proceeded with making the adaptations that were needed on the family vehicle to ensure he could drive safely and confidently. Modifications included pedal extensions, a custom steering adaptation and a seat cushion to give Henry full visibility and control.

After more than a year of navigating red tape and uncertainty, Henry passed his permit exam – officially beginning his journey behind the wheel and bringing a wave of relief and excitement to him and his parents. Now that he’s behind the wheel, Henry loves driving and looks forward to getting his driver’s license. “I can’t wait to be able to go hang out with my friends whenever I want,” he said. While he’s still learning, it’s his dad, Seth, who rides along during practice sessions. Natalie is more than happy to let dad take the lead.

Henry is especially excited about the day he won’t need an adult in the passenger seat every time he drives. Natalie is looking forward to that, too. “Once he has his license, he’ll be able to drive himself to appointments, which will be a huge help, especially with two younger kids at home,” she said. “He can also run errands and help out more around the house.”

Therapists Kristen Ciacchini, OTR/L, and Carrie Herrmann, PT, have played a key role in helping Henry build the strength and confidence to walk independently and strive for greater independence. From the beginning, both therapists have collaborated with Henry and his family to support his long-term goals, including learning to drive.

“His therapy at Shriners Children’s Erie has focused on strength, coordination, range of motion, transfers, self-care, as well as meal prepping, housekeeping and other instrumental activities of daily living,” said Ciacchini.

As part of that care, therapy also addressed the physical demands of driving. “We worked on strengthening his arms, legs and core so that he can sit up and have enough muscle endurance to sustain the amount of time he needs to drive,” added Herrmann. These skills not only help Henry behind the wheel but also prepare him for life after high school, whether he chooses to go away to college or continue building his independence at home.

Although the process of getting a driver’s permit was long and filled with obstacles, Natalie said it was absolutely worth it. Henry has even more big milestones on the horizon. “He’s graduating high school next year and starting to think about college,” she said. “He’s gaining more independence every day, and I’m just so excited for him.” For Henry, earning his driver’s permit is more than just an achievement – it’s a key step toward building the foundation for his future. Henry’s journey is just beginning, and the strength, skills and confidence he gained at Shriners Children’s Erie have prepared him to embrace whatever his future holds.