Victims of Alcoholism
I vividly remember going into that hospital room every day and adjusting the ventilator on a patient known only as “Kathy”. Kathy couldn’t talk, or move, or breathe. She was in a coma due to an accident involving a drunk driver. Medical personnel may seem cold and distant but I was not the only one who would talk to Kathy while I was in there. I would swab her mouth so that it would not get too dry and I would apply Chap Stick to her lips
Driving while being drunk can cause fatal accidents. Call a taxi and save lives.
One day, I had heard they were making the person responsible for the crash come and see Kathy. He was a relatively young man, about 24 or 25. He and his friends had been celebrating his birthday and had gotten intoxicated. Barreling down the interstate at 90 miles an hour, they crossed the median and hit Kathy’s car as she was driving home from work. “Brian”, the intoxicated driver, got out with barely a scratch but Kathy’s prognosis was yet uncertain.
I saw him, along with a police officer approach Kathy’s room. At first, he seemed to have no reaction but was hesitant to go in. The police officer talked to him as they stood in that room. I don’t know what he said but the impact of the situation must have hit him. He put his head in his hands and began to sob. Soon, he was saying “Oh, my God!” over and over. It is odd how the person who does the drinking sometimes escapes injury while they leave a totally innocent person at death’s door. I wondered if Kathy could hear him and if she could, what she would be thinking.
Brian could barely walk as they left the room. Although it was sad to see him like that, I hoped it would bring him to stop drinking all together. I am sure it was a scene he will never forget but was it enough to make him think how many other people suffer because of his drinking? Drinking causes so many to suffer emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally and that is before the accidents even occur. Actually, I think Brian got lucky. He didn’t have to explain to Kathy’s 7 year old daughter why he put her mommy into a coma. Kathy hadn’t been drinking and yet her entire life was now changed because of alcohol.
-V.B.
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I’m writing to tell you not to start to drink and drive. It’s not a responsible thing to do. I wasn’t in a clear mind to make the right decision. I put myself and others at risk. I got behind the wheel of a car and I blacked out. I got into an accident and wrecked my car. I was very lucky I didn’t kill myself or someone else. I’m also lucky to be able to write this letter to you today. I’m writing to tell you not to start to drink and drive because it is not worth it.