Talking to Teens and Feedback!

Since mid-April, I have spoken at several schools. There were assemblies at the Gow School, Alden Central, Pioneer Central and Eden Central. Yesterday and today I spoke at five health classes at JFK High School. Sometimes teens ask questions and come up to talk to me afterwards telling me their personal stories, or how something I said impacted them. There are many other times when I don't get the feedback, and I'm left wondering if what I said made a difference.

Today after the final of five health class presentations at JFK, a young lady said to me "Just wanted you to know that what you said touched me". I gave her a hug, and I thought it made the emotional outpouring worth it. Then just a couple hours ago, this comment was posted on my last blog:

You spoke at my high school just yesterday and I thought every word you said was moving. Your story, and how you kept saying that things would never be the same and its still a daily issue, just makes your story even more moving. I saw that the whole presentation you were shaking uncontrollably. I want you to know that I spoke with a few people about that class and people said that you changed their minds about how they should handle prom and that they should be smart...about getting desgnated drivers and driving careful as well. You definatley did not go up there and pour your heart out for nothing...me being a sophomore in highschool, i will remember you always and your expirience, and know that my desicions can effect so many other people besides me. I'm a compassionate person and I hate even thinking that I've hurt someone. I really want to express how greatful I am that you spoke to us.


-Amanda.
pitygirl@msn.com

Thank you Amanda, thanks for listening, thanks for taking the time to post this comment, and thanks for hopefully thinking twice when it comes to drinking and driving.

Deanna

Reaching Out To Teens

Donn Esmonde's column on my presentation was published in this morning's Buffalo News. It was very well-written and makes a very good point about the need to educate young people about the dangers of drinking and driving.

I have spoken at six high schools so far this spring, and have at least five scheduled in the upcoming weeks. I know that I can't reach all the teens in each assembly or classroom, but if I impact just one or a few and make them think twice about the dangers of drinking and driving, then I can say mission accomplished.

One of my major obstacles is the high price of gas these days. Alden Central High School and Pioneer Central High School are both more than 30 miles away from my home. If you'd like to donate to Crusade Against Impaired Driving, and help, click on the PayPal icon on this website, or send donations to P.O. Box 21, Lake View, NY 14085.

Thanks again and here's hoping for a safe and sober prom and graduation season,

Deanna

Talking To Teens & The Road to Recovery

I'd like to begin this blog with some good news. I am finally feeling a little bit better - three weeks after the car accident. The neck and back pain is easing up, and the physical therapy (three times a week!) is working. I'm breathing a sigh of relief, and hoping I continue to improve from this point.

With prom season here, I have been busy telling Karen's story to various groups of young people. From the young men at the Gow School to driver's ed classes at Williamsville South to health classes at Cleve-Hill High School in Cheektowaga, and today a pre-prom assembly at Alden High School...many eyes are being opened to the dangers of drinking and driving.

One of the students at Cleve-Hill brought out her cell phone during my presentation, and I thought it was unusual, and a little rude, but I didn't say anything. Afterwards, she came up to me and said, "I texted my sister to say 'I love you'". I smiled. One thing that I've learned from my sister's crash, is that life is short, and you should tell people how you feel about them, how much you love them before it's too late.

Today at Alden, a girl came up to me with tears in her eyes, and said she too lost a sibling, her brother. He wasn't killed in a car crash, but was very sick and died too soon. She said what I said brought tears to her eyes. I gave her a hug.

A special thank you to the teens at Cleve-Hill and Alden High School for their donations to Crusade Against Impaired Driving, Inc.

Coming soon...two Buffalo News reporters were in the audience for today's assembly at Alden. Donn Esmonde's column is expected to be published Sunday, and Emma Sapong's article will also be printed soon. I will post links in this blog.

We are working on....getting video of my presentation put on karenscrusade.org, making plans for an upcoming fundraiser - it's a softball tournament that will be held in West Seneca on Saturday, August 9. I am looking for volunteers to help organize this event and I'm looking to recruit teams too. Feel free to email me at info@karenscrusade.org to learn more.


Deanna

Sharing Karen's Story with WNY Schools & Good News

Nothing can stop me now...the neck and back pain that I'm dealing with following my recent car accident is not stopping me from taking Karen's story to schools this spring.

Last Wednesday evening, I spoke to the young men at the Gow School in South Wales. It was a very attentive audience, and the teens had many interesting questions. I was joined by
Mrs. New York 2008, Jennifer Stehlar who assisted me with my PowerPoint, and also shared with the students her personal experiences and why she has taken on a safe driving platform. Jennifer also snapped a few pictures that I've attached to this blog. A special thank you to The Gow School for their very generous donation to Crusade Against Impaired Driving.

This week, on Monday and Tuesday, I spoke to Tim Joy's driver's education classes at Williamsville South High School. On Tuesday, I was joined by Beth Obad, the president of
Erie County's MADD chapter. The students also donated to CAID - thanks.

Tomorrow and Monday, I'll be speaking to health classes at Cleve-Hill High School. My friend Cindy is joining me tomorrow, and next Friday I'm headed to Alden.

CAID got good news and even better news in the last week.

We are officially a 501C3 non-profit organization! Any donations made to Crusade Against Impaired Driving, Inc. are now tax deductible.

Last week, I received a very nice letter from Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. He was not able to make it to the candlelight vigil in March, but applauded my efforts to stop drunk driving in the community: " "Your hard work, the support you have gathered thus far, and the organization's mission will not only educate and create awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, but
will bolster our memory of Karen as well."

That's all I have for now...I'll be blogging again soon.

Deanna