What many take for granted, William Gates of Hamburg has been wanting to do for years. And for about four years Gates has been fighting an uphill battle.
“I’ve been wanting to drive all my life,” he said. “Yes it makes me mad, a little bit because here I’m trying to help save lives.”
Gates’ story starts when he was a child and was diagnosed with epilepsy, which triggers seizures. Gates still lives with the condition. And even with medication, the seizures can become violent. Four years ago, he attempted to do what he’s never been able to do consistently — get behind the wheel and drive — this time with a learner’s permit, but something happened.
“Instead of hitting the brakes, I hit the gas pedal and I had it in reverse and I backed out into a car that was across the street from our driveway where we lived,” Gates said.
To avoid another crash, Gates rides his bike just about everywhere.
After getting in that accident he got an idea.
