6 years ago today.

[FroggyinArk]

i was a successful remodeling contractor with two crews working.
i owned 3 nice vehicles
had work schedualed almost 6 months out
money in the bank with a 750+ credit score
and i got into a truck with a damaged seat belt latch to come home.
i did not make it home.
the drunk came through a stop sign in a school area at about 90 mph
i was thrown out of my truck
crushed between my truck and a motorhome
a large portion of my face was torn off but i did survive
24 surgeries during the following year


now 6 years later...

i lost my business three years ago. now work sales at lowes
have 2 trucks, but only one is running
i have almost lost my house twice
my wife has had stress related medical problems including a majoe stroke
still only have the use of one eye, my right one is permenantly sealed.
i have over half a million dollars in unpayed medical bills
my credit score is under 500
savings are all gone


the drunk.....

spent three years in jail
now holds a job my wife gave up for health reasons
is dreadfully behind on her 50 bucks a month restitution payments towards the 178000 dollar judgement i have against her


i aso have thousands of friends who have made my life livable through th echanges and hard times.


to the ones here, thank you.

and to everyone please buckle up.

and do not drink and drive.


for those who do not know the rest of the story, theres an outdated version of my story on the home page linked to my profile here

 

[Darsa]

Wow, Froggy, I am so sorry. It seems so inane to say something like that but believe me, you have my utmost sympathy. to you and your wife.

I wish that there were people in your type of situation available to go around to high schools and explain how stupid it is to drink and drive AND to advocate for seat belts.

 

[FroggyinArk]

Wow, Froggy, I am so sorry. It seems so inane to say something like that but believe me, you have my utmost sympathy. to you and your wife.

I wish that there were people in your type of situation available to go around to high schools and explain how stupid it is to drink and drive AND to advocate for seat belts.

there ARE contact your local MADD offices.

 

[piglet too]

Froggy ~ I have often thought of your story, and it has made a difference in my life. I wish for nothing but the best for you and your wife.

 

[luvflorida]

I have followed your story here on the Dis, and I am so, so sorry for all that you've gone through, and all that you continue to deal with. I can't come close to knowing how difficult life has been for you and your family.

It is so scary how just a few seconds in any given day can completely alter someone's life. Please know that you have a lot of people keeping you in their prayers and good thoughts.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Bless you Froggy. Your strength is commended. I wish only the best for you and your wife.

 

[safetymom]

Froggy, sending hugs to you and the wife. You are a hero from fighting back from all the trouble that was thrown your way.

 

[ericamanda01]

I am so sorry this happened to you. It's yet another terrible example of just how selfish drinking and driving is.

 

[live4christp1]

 

[FireDancer]

Sorry to hear your story Froggy. It's one thing when you do something stupid that effects you life and it is completely different when someone else's stupidity ruins yours.

Hopefully there will be a turn in fortune for you and your wife in the future.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

I lost my best friend to a drunk driver in 1995. I am so sorry for all you are going through - this is the first time I've heard about your story. You are in my thoughts today!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Always in my prayers, good wishes, Jeff. Good wishes things go better in months. years ahead....they will.

 

[Boo'sMom]

You are in my thoughts and prayers, ironically, today is the 22nd anniversary of the death of my best friend. He was in a car with a drunk driver.
I see that ******* at football games wathing his son....something I'll never see my friend do.

Best wishes to you.

 

[wickey's friend]

Froggy -- you and your lovely wife are in my prayers.

 

[Towncrier]

Thanks for the reminders about seat belts and about driving while impaired (which not only means driving drunk, but anything that takes ones attention off the road). Prayers for you and your wife on this solemn anniversary. You are a much stronger man that I could ever hope to be.

 

[ckay87]

When I tell my boys "well life isn't fair," I don't think they have any idea how true that is. I should tell them your story. I don't have any words of advice for you, but you do have my prayers. We should all enjoy what we have while we have it. Froggy, I hope you can increasingly find comfort and happiness as time goes on.

 

[tazdev3225]

I can't offer anything other than my prayers that you continue to recover. Yesterday was the 7th anniversary of the accident that took the life of my DD's 14 y/o friend, she would have been 21 this year. The car she was in was hit by a driver who was drunk and high. The other driver walked away with minor injuries. Her family still hasn't recovered from their loss. It amazes me that people still drink and drive. They destroy lives while they go on their merry way to do it again.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I am so sorry you and your family have to live with the aftermath of such a tragedy.

I am so afraid of drivers who are under the influence and want to scream each time I see someone leave a party not quite right. I just don't get the lack of conscience... I mean is that drink really worth someone else's life??? I don't know about anyone else out there but no way do I ever want to have to live with that sort of guilt.

It's interesting you post this because just last week I brought my Jeep in to have the front seat-belts replaced. They weren't broken exactly but they didn't snap back up any more and kept getting stuck in the door when I'd close it because they would just dangle. This made me think they might not operate properly in an accident... I suppose I made the right call. My kids' belts seem fine but now I am going to go and give them all a good tug just to be sure.

Here is a Froggy, and a prayer for your continued strength.

 

[momrek06]

To you, Froggy and to Jules!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Wow, I can't believe it's been 6 years already.

Thanks for the reminders on driving with seatbelts and not impaired! I hope your wife's health improves.