On October 2, 1998 my life was changed…I was out with a friend on our way to meet some other people in Citrus County, Florida. Heading out from Sumter County, we stopped in Lake Panasoffkee to buy beer. Yes, stupidly we were drinking. However, I wasn't aware my friend had been drinking before he came to pick me up.

So after we met up with some other people we were headed down Old Floral City Road, My friend tried to pass a car on a curved road, he lost control of the truck. We flipped once or twice, I am unsure exactly how many times.

.I knew right before the truck flipped something terrible was about to happen. When I came to, I was on my knees, upright on the driver’s side door, my head was slumped over, and I thought to myself the truck must have come to a rest on its side. I knew right away I was hurt. I couldn’t move…

.I was flown by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital where I was met with family and friends, not remembering most of it. I never remember being told that I broke my neck at the C5/C6 level. People often ask me if I was angry about what happened, And I tell them no because I knew something was wrong directly after the accident. I spent three long months, going from hospital rooms to rehab with complication of my injuries.

One afternoon I remember my mom looking at me, asking if I was okay. I turned blue it was hard to breath; I was rushed back to TGH where they found a pulmonary embolism. Later finding that I broke a few ribs which damage my lower left lung, causing internal bleeding. But I pulled through all of that, I thank God for keeping his hand upon me. I was discharged on January of 1999…What a great day that was!

.Please share this story of how drinking & driving can wreck your life...