THE ETHICIST TAP : AGING MOTHER'S DRIVING

ABOUT a year ago, my mother, who is in her late 80s, was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Since then, she has been dealing with health challenges that have increased her frailty and memory issues.

She has always been a very proud, strong woman, and until recently she had no trouble living independently.

But her neurologist told her, in my and my sibling's presence, that she should no longer be driving.

Our mother argued with him. [ ''How do you know? You've never driven with me.'' ]

Later he told us that her tests alone weren't conclusive and that his decision was informed by what my sibling and I reported as well as another doctor's indication on her chart that shouldn't be driving.

The Department of Motor Vehicles has suspended her license, and my mother is irate, blaming us for instigating this and saying she never wants to see us again.

She also keeps saying she is going to fight to get her license back, either by taking a driver's test or getting another doctor to dispute the decision.

This Master honoured publishing continues to Part 2. The World Students Society thanks Professor Kwame Anthony Appiah.