DeniseJP
Well-Known Member
I help our PTSA with the simulated DWI crash for seniors at our high school. Our local ambulance corps and fire departments and police departments volunteer to participate for training. 20 members alone took time off of their normal work to participate today. Five students participated and while we knew they were safe, the sight of the crew pulling sheets over their heads or hauling them off in an ambulance and busting the alleged "drunk driver" were very solemn to see in person. It was narrated by our school resource officer and members of the ambulance corps so students could see the reality of what happens in such cases.
I have seen a bunch of these simulated crashes over the years but the ambulance corps always bringsa video or Powerpoint presentation that makes my stomach just drop - today's was very graphic...the seniors in the audience, as well as the teachers, administratorsand me, the secretary, gasped aloud at some very tragic photos of wrecked cars and wrecked lives.
Our seniors have their Senior Ball this weekend...Benn will be going with one of his co-workers (he goes to a different school - his date goes to the school I work at) and they are so excited about their formal wear - Benn is doing her hair and they were so cute picking out his tuxedo to match her gown - a beautiful coral color with lots of "bling"...
Having lost a student some years ago in a DWI accident, I hope all our kids choose to be safe, and if they choose to drink, that they have the smarts to give the keys to a sober person, call their parents or a friend's parents...anything to avoid what we saw today on the video.
Then there is the texting factor. The "Fairport Five" died miles from my house. While not drinking, the driver was texting, crashed into a tractor trailer truck and 5 graduates of Fairport High School died back in 2007 when the car they were riding in exploded into flames. They were classmates of my "adopted" son Greg and Andy and Benn both knew some of them.I work with one of the first responders and he called me in shock, saying it was one of the worst scenes he had ever seen. Andy had friends following the tractor trailer truck and the flames were so hot they could not get to the car and a girl was trying to get out of the car... Andy's friend could only watch in horror as he tried to tell the girl everything would be OK but it was too hot for them to get to the car.
I told Benn, regardless of the circumstances, if someone cannot drive, ever, to call me and I will get him and his friends home safe. Life is too short and kids have so much to live for....
To all our teen members, please, pleasestay safe this spring....
Denise
I have seen a bunch of these simulated crashes over the years but the ambulance corps always bringsa video or Powerpoint presentation that makes my stomach just drop - today's was very graphic...the seniors in the audience, as well as the teachers, administratorsand me, the secretary, gasped aloud at some very tragic photos of wrecked cars and wrecked lives.
Our seniors have their Senior Ball this weekend...Benn will be going with one of his co-workers (he goes to a different school - his date goes to the school I work at) and they are so excited about their formal wear - Benn is doing her hair and they were so cute picking out his tuxedo to match her gown - a beautiful coral color with lots of "bling"...
Having lost a student some years ago in a DWI accident, I hope all our kids choose to be safe, and if they choose to drink, that they have the smarts to give the keys to a sober person, call their parents or a friend's parents...anything to avoid what we saw today on the video.
Then there is the texting factor. The "Fairport Five" died miles from my house. While not drinking, the driver was texting, crashed into a tractor trailer truck and 5 graduates of Fairport High School died back in 2007 when the car they were riding in exploded into flames. They were classmates of my "adopted" son Greg and Andy and Benn both knew some of them.I work with one of the first responders and he called me in shock, saying it was one of the worst scenes he had ever seen. Andy had friends following the tractor trailer truck and the flames were so hot they could not get to the car and a girl was trying to get out of the car... Andy's friend could only watch in horror as he tried to tell the girl everything would be OK but it was too hot for them to get to the car.
I told Benn, regardless of the circumstances, if someone cannot drive, ever, to call me and I will get him and his friends home safe. Life is too short and kids have so much to live for....
To all our teen members, please, pleasestay safe this spring....
Denise
