New Page 1

Brian,

I live in Charlotte NC. I am a walking survivor of a horrific crash where someone was drinking but NOT drunk. Yes, NOT DRUNK, but enough alcohol in his system that he nearly killed both of us.

The story started on my birthday in 1992. January 31st 1992. I have a lot of friends who go to the same CHURCH and share January birthdays (I have since left that church but for other reasons). There was approximately 15 of us who went out to dinner and then to a local club for dancing and celebration. It wasn't about getting plastered. We were just a group of friends celebrating birthdays.

Long story, about 1:00 a.m. my then boyfriend and I left to go to his house. About half the way home, he fell asleep. We were in my Honda Prelude. I was sound asleep in the passenger seat, with the seat laid back. It was cold. It was January 31st/February 1st.

He crossed the road, hit a street sign, went down and embankment and the car rolled and rolled....and rolled. Needless to say, I woke up on the first impact. I wish I hadn't. The noise was deafening. I thought the car would never stop. It seemed like my world was on a very scary and endless scary ride at an amusement park. Only the sound effects were real, the ride was real.

The car stopped finally. I couldn't breathe. I was gasping for breath. Finally, I caught my breath, long enough to say "I think I am okay". Amazingly we emerged from the car through my side. I have no idea how we got out. The car was nearly crushed. Steve got out first and had to unlatch my seat belt so I could get out. I didn't realize I was upside down until I crawled out. When I got out of the car, terrified didn't start to describe what I had endured. I started to run, shoeless because they were knocked off my feet. I was afraid the car would blow up. I went about 20 feet and collapsed.

Fast forward to me crawling to a neighbors door pleading with her to call an ambulance. She wouldn't open the door and somehow I stumbled back in to her yard. Steve had told me to stay put but in a state like that, you don't realize what you are doing. He ran about a quarter mile to call the police but someone already had called, a 17 year old boy who had heard the crash.

Results? Steve was not drunk but should not have been driving. Hard lesson learned for both of us. We knew better...we were in our 30's. He had a cut on his elbow and a severely bruised foot.

I had almost fatal injuries that included a ruptured spleen, torn kidney, broken ribs, torn shoulder muscle, bruised liver and pancreas, a knee that required surgery almost two years later. It tore my ACL and broke off pieces of my knee cap. The surgeons on the night of the wreck were not worried about my knee. They were worried about saving my life. My fingernail on my right hand pinky finger was ripped totally off. Now that freaking HURT!

I required 6 pints of blood, removal of my spleen which was in two pieces totally detached from my body, repair to my kidney and as the doctor put it, take literally every organ and put it back in it's proper place. I was on a ventilator for several days because I had broken ribs. They were worried I'd get pneumonia. I spent almost two weeks total in the hospital. I was out of work for months. I nearly lost my home, not to mention I nearly lost my life.

Years later, I still have problems that are related to the accident. But I am not bitter, nor am I on a pity party. I am blessed. I am very blessed to be alive. See, my blood pressure plummeted to 0 twice while I was in the ER. I asked the nurse when I came back if I was going to die. She said "No honey, you aren't going to die but we have to get you to surgery now."

I was lucky. I was left here for a reason. I am a fanatic about people drinking and driving. If my husband drinks, he hands over the keys. There is no getting in a car with someone who has been drinking.

I will celebrate my 50th birthday this coming January. My husband better get me a limo for the evening - because I don't plan on reliving January 31st 1992 ever again.

Thank you for sharing the pictures - graphic as they are. If you get one person's attention it is worth every effort.

I am a statistic - but fortunately one that had a better ending than this young girl and her family. I have no idea when this happened to her, but I will say a prayer for her and her family today. I will say a prayer that no family ever have to get that phone call that your loved one was in a drunk driving accident.

Keep up the good work.

If you are up for the challenge, I'd love the opportunity to tell my story on the anniversary of my accident. I have a milestone birthday coming up - I'm turning 50 on January 31st. I AM BLESSED truly BLESSED to make it to 50.

Nancy