Mother's Against Drunk Driving, is a truly amazing organization and I thank them for starting this up in the 1980's. There are four victim impact panel classes a month where I speak at them and I will tell the people to line up and be ready for check in. I check their ID's to make sure its them and they will have to sign in to enter the class, usually this routine takes about 40 minutes to an hour to go through. There are about 200 DUI offenders that show to up the class, which is mandatory. I then get called up to the stage where I speak in front of them and tell them my story on how I lost my sister, most of them do cry especially the people in their 20's. After the class I am the one handing out the certification followed up by my many of them telling me my speech was either good, great, or amazing. To speak in front of that many people is not an easy challenge sometimes I do pause because it does sink in to me sometimes, but most all I want them to understand what I am going through.
There was a MADD walk in Simi Valley where I help prepared for the Walk, this Walk is for the families that have been effected by a Drunk Driver, and since it was the first one there, the turn out was great. I had a fun time, but also I am truly grateful to see people coming and making a difference also. The next event that is coming up is the biggest Walk they have which is at Granada Beach, usually they tell me
there are about 1000 people who show up. All in all interning for MADD besides the internship itself I am making a difference how much more can I do. MADD is the best internship out there and if any of you have been effected by a Drunk Driver, come along and share your story and make a difference, save someone's life. Thank You.
Wow! Your internship dos sound amazing. Many people do not know how huge a problem driving drunk, even a little bit, until it hits home. I think sharing your story with the people you encounter in your internship will effect them, hopefully enough for them to think twice before driving drunk. I believe also that turning something negative that has happened in your life into a positive will also help you heal and be stronger for yourself & family! Keep doing great things!
ReplyDeleteThe situation was quite similar to it in my home country (China) where a lot of people died because of drunk driving, while it now becomes much better since the strict traffic law and policies were introduced. But anyways, I think your internship sounds very cool and meaningful, and I really enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteMohamed,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see the passion and the desire that drives you to succeed in your internship and future endeavors. It's easy to see that you have the motivation to implement change and advocate against drunk driving. We obviously have a DUI problem here and it's important to spread awareness to everyone. Keep up the good work.
Ben
Wow, I can't imagine have to get up and speak in front of some many who have committed the offense that was the same and resulted in the loss of my sister. That's amazing that you are able to do that. This sounds amazing and hopefully after hearing your story they make a change for the better.
ReplyDelete