Is being short a 'medical condition' or an 'accident'?!

I had a frustrating couple of weeks. Getting a car licensed in this province is such a nightmare. Nevermind trying to get insurance ... and hearing 4 different things from 4 different companies. "You need to this first" ... "No, you need to do that first". Finally, after 2 weeks, I was able to get insurance on my car.

Then I went over to the registry. Downtown Registry at that. What an 'experience' that was! I initially said I wanted to exchange my driver's license for an Alberta one and that I wanted to get my car registered and get a plate. Ok. That was fine. They were going to do my driver's first. So ... I showed them my MB driver's license and the guy didn't know what to do with the conditions. He looked completely bewildered. So he called his manager over. The manager comes, and the first thing he asks me is "why do you use hand controls?" I said, "because I'm short". He says, "Is this a medical condition or is this an accident?" I asked, "Is being short a medical condition?" The guy repeats, "Is this a medical condition or an accident?" I again replied with "Is being short a medical condition?" He says, "Ok, it's a medical condition. You need a medical done before we can give you your license". I said that I had never had to get a medical done in Manitoba and that I had a clear driving record for 15 years. He gets on the phone to talk to someone who apparently can give him more information. I'm not sure WHO he called, because, as I'll explain a bit later, the 'right' people knew nothing about all this. In the meantime, they processed the license plate. Some individuals may find it interesting that the letters on the plate read 'HAY'. So, I can get a license plate, but no license to drive. Back to the guy on the phone ... while he's on the phone, he asks why I use a wheelchair. Just to let you know, I wasn't even using my wheelchair; I was using my scooter. I had even thought of parking it outside and not coming in with it because I had a hunch this would make the guy think that I was completely unable to be a functioning human being. Anyway... I said that I use it for long distances but that it does not affect my ability to drive. This guy said, "You need a medical" and waved his hand at me in dismissal. I was NOT impressed. I asked for a phone number for me to verify this. Thank goodness I did this. He had to give it to me.

I called the government then. The people on the other end of the line ... the government officials, were great. They verified that, indeed, my license should have been directly exchanged. All the documentation was there and there is absolutely NO need for me to have a medical. I knew it! I knew it! They said that I should go back there and tell them to call so and so if they continued to not want to help me. They also strongly suggested that I make a formal complaint as, half an hour earlier, another lady who was a nurse had a very similar situation happen. She was completely distraught, crying on the phone. This same registry wouldn't let her have her license either and it should have been a direct exchange. The government people find it a little interesting that it seems to only be people who are trained in some sort of medical professions who realize that they do not need medicals done. Disabilities are not medical illnesses that get worse, or not most. Certainly not mine and certainly not that lady's.

So, the next day I went back to get my license. I took down the guy's name and his title. I told the guy there that the service I had the day before was completely unacceptable and that I had called the government and they said it should have been an automatic direct exchange. The guy still didn't believe me, but he did call the people I suggested he call. He spoke for half an hour. Then he came back to talk to me, was slightly pleasant, and gave me the license. Honestly, I think he was taking much longer than he needed on the phone ... either that or they gave him a good talking to. He really seemed to be like a dog with his tail between his legs when he came back. I was apparently on the records and all set up before he called. Good to know the government was doing their job. Except they got the conditions wrong .... instead of having 'power steering' as part of my conditions, I apparently need mirrors. As long as this doesn't mean extra mirrors and as long as my car is not vandalized with the mirrors being broken off with a bat like a few years ago, I'm ok. Nobody has informed me otherwise.

So, now, I have an Alberta license plate, I have an Alberta Driver's License, and an Alberta Healthcard ..... this is scary because it makes me pretty much an Alberta resident. I'm not sure I'm ready to accept that. Putting the plate on my car was that 'ah ha' moment. It felt really weird. And the car looks naked without the front plate.