WATCH: Golf star teen continues to push limits after passing driving test

Wednesday 01 March 2023

A Jersey teenager born with a rare condition which meant his arms and one of his legs never fully formed is celebrating being given the all-clear for the roads.

Adam Dalton (17) was born with congenital limb deficiency (CLD). Following his motto, 'No Hands, No Limits', he has already achieved significant success on the golf course, where he regularly hits his driver over 200 yards and wins competitions.

This week, he is celebrating another success: passing his driving test.

"It feels absolutely amazing," he said. "I can't believe the day has come when I passed, it all seems so unreal."

Adam's road to driving began nearly three years ago when he was 15.

His mum, Juliette, contacted DriveAbility Jersey, an independent charity founded by Pam Evans to help individuals with physical disabilities, older individuals, or neurodiverse individuals get driving and maintain an independent lifestyle.

Adam and his mum were unsure if his physical disabilities would allow him to drive, but when they found out there were other drivers with similar disabilities, "it was a very exciting time."

The initial step was an assessment by specialists in the UK who advised that Adam needed a left foot gas pedal and an extension on the indicator stalk. They also recommended a specific Mercedes car which has a voice activation feature and required fewer expensive adaptations.

"If anyone is not sure about driving, whether it's because of anxiety or disability, just give it a go. With the right professional guidance and support you may shock yourself."

After passing his theory test, DriveAbility tried Adam in their dual-control car.

"He was a natural," recalled Fiona Herivel, the Driving Advisor at DriveAbility who taught Adam. "He's been driving golf buggies for years, so he just wanted to get going. He had 12 hours of tuition and practiced with his mum nearly every day. It wasn't long before we said, 'Let's get you a test booked'."

Adam said: "DriveAbility have been such great support. They've been with us on the journey right the way through and it would have been a bigger and longer journey without them."

But the journey has not been without its roadblocks, including the £40,000 in funds that Adam needed to raise so that he could purchase, adapt, and maintain the car that was suited to his needs.

Unlike the UK, there is currently no government support in Jersey for drivers with disabilities, although in certain circumstances tax will be taken off when importing a specially adapted car to Jersey from the UK.

"It's a massive financial impact," Fiona said. "You have to fund it yourself, and we're talking hundreds of thousands of pounds for adaptations."

Adam's family and friends helped him to set up a JustGiving page, which raised £12,000, and there were golf events at Les Mielles to boost his cause. In August 2022, his friend and amateur golfer Scott Mills completed the 48-mile Island Walk with a bag of golf clubs on his back to raise money.

"I was lucky to have the support of the wonderful people of Jersey. For every penny donated I am so grateful."

Pictured: Adam with Scott Mills, who carried a bag of clubs on the Island Walk to raise funds.

The ability to drive independently is another huge step towards independence for Adam. "I can now make my own decisions on where I want to go and when I want to go out."

As he uses a wheelchair, he has never been comfortable taking the bus, and it was "completely impossible if I need to take my golf clubs with me."

"Now he’s the same as his mates," Fiona said. "He’s not reliant on people to help him. That goes so much towards his mental health, especially as a young person."

Adam is now looking at the road ahead and setting himself new goals.

"I was in a difficult place a few years ago but golf has given me a goal. I hope one day that golf is included as a sport in the Paralympics and that I’m good enough to be selected."

"I work hard to get better all the time and I share my story through social media platforms in the hope my story inspires people to push themselves no matter what their journey is. You never know where it may take you."

Find him on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook as 'Adam 'nubs' Dalton'.