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Error: PDF version 1.6 -- xpdf supports version 1.5 (continuing anyway) 10 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 30, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Why no one should drink and drive Over-15 essay winner By Maria Calandrino Why don't we drink and drive? A speedometer reading 100 kmh in a 60-kmh zone goes unnoticed. A pedestrian crossing at a crosswalk fails to register. The red light at the intersection is discounted. The crash that follows is even a blur. The blood, the screams, the cries, the sirens, all of it blends into the background. The excruciating pain is the only reality. Sorrowful spectators, dozens of police officers, none of it makes any sense. Pain, dull, searing pain while being transferred into an ambulance. A hospital room, doctors, nurses, sobbing family and friends, and even sobbing strangers. Why are they crying? Pieces of memories are coming back now. Memories of a liquor store, a six-pack, and a party. Was it one drink? Was it two? Or was it three drinks? And if it was only three drinks, where did the rest of the case go? Then there was that road, a red-light, and a boy...what happened to that boy? Why don't we drink and drive? Voices coming from the hallway. "...we did all we could...severe trauma to the brain...internal bleeding...nothing we could do...I'm sorry." And then sobs -- a woman's loud, uncontrollable sobs. There's someone entering the hospital room, another woman. She's crying too, but not tears of sor- Under-14 essay winner By Ray Tiberia Dear Mr. Davis: It's been 11 years since you came into my life. I have a lot of questions to ask you. But first let me tell you what my life has been like since December 30,1994. It's hard to remember right after I was hurt. I was only three years old. My mom tells me I took a helicopter to St.Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania. That night I had three operations on the right side of my heart to take out all the pieces of glass and bone that broke when I hit my head. A ventilator was breathing for me and I was unconscious for 16 days. During that time many people prayed, sent letters, and sent me gifts. My family stayed by my side and sang to me and read me my favourite stories about Thomas the Tank Engine. I came home to Toronto with my dad in a special airplane and was taken to The Hospital for Sick Children. I came out of a coma in January and when I woke up I couldn't talk, play or eat. That must have sucked because I love food. Since the crash, I've worked hard to build up my strength and now I can talk and walk. I like heavy metal music, I skateboard, swim, play the guitar, and ride my BMX. I'm learning to snowboard and I still love to eat. I have trouble using my right hand and my memory isn't so good. My scars bother me and I get angry sometimes and wonder why this had to happen to me. But there are lot of people who love me and help me and I think everything will be okay. I have some questions for you and I want the answers. Why did you get in your car that day after you had been drinking? Are you an alcoholic? Did you get help while you were in prison? I read in one of the newspaper articles that right after you hit us you asked a bystander how many people you had killed. I don't understand why you asked that. What did you mean? I really hate what you did to me because my life has been so hard. I want you to understand how much you hurt me and my family. Some days I get very, very mad at you and can't get you out of my head. Every time I get angry at you, my mom tells me I should write a letter and tell you how I feel. So that is why I am sending this to you. I never want you to forget what you did because I can't. I hope if other people get to read this it will stop them from making the same choice you did. Please don't drink and drive. Sincerely, Ray Tiberia LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER ESSAY WINNERS: The 2006 winners of the Mayor's Special Committee Against Impaired Driving essay contest -- in memory of Janet Dooley, killed by a drunk driver in 1991 -- included Maria Calandrino in the over-15 category, who received a driver training certificate presented by Tim Danter from Young Drivers of Canada. Ray Tiberia, winner for the under-14 category, received a bike and helmet presented to him by Aaron Cronk, agent, and Mark Kent, Assistant District Manager, Cooperators Insurance. Also shown are Mayor Ann Mulvale and Janet Dooley's mother, Stephanie. row, tears of joy, of happiness that her only son is going to pull through. But outside, the tears are still streaming down the other woman's face. Her son was not so lucky. Everything comes flooding back. Moving 100 kmh in a 60-kmh zone, a red light, a boy crossing the street, an airbag deploying and then a scream. The next day, the police ask for a statement and they inform of the upcoming funeral. The burying of a boy much too young to die. Pain again. This time the pain is not from the bruises or broken bones. This time it's from the knowledge of having taken a life. Of having denied someone of a son, a grandson, a brother, a friend. Why don't we drink and drive? Alcohol is enough to cloud the judgment of even the most sensible of people. It can trick the brain into thinking the body hasn't reached its limit, or, once it has reached its limit, alcohol can trick the brain into thinking the body can still function as if it hasn't had that initial drink. Alcohol can fool people into thinking they are capable of picking up a set of car keys, walking out the door, turning on the ignition and driving home in full control -- capable of registering every speed limit sign, every crosswalk and every red light. Often times though, that's far from the case. 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