The John Paul II Collegiate SADD Chapter recently had the pleasure of hosting speaker Kevin Brooks, who presented to students his experience of an impaired driving collision and the importance of safe choices.
Paralyzed from the waist down after driving intoxicated, Brooks lost not only the use of his legs but his best friend, Brendon, as well.
Looking back, Brooks says, “Brendon and I grew up together. Our families spent so much time at the rink and on road trips. My sister Allison dated Bren in high school. Our parents always got along well, and Bren’s parents were always good to me. When I learned of their support following the crash I was at first surprised. Facing them was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life even with their support. They truly gave me another chance, and I knew I had to do something positive with it. They also taught me an invaluable lesson in forgiveness.”
Turning his life around, in little more than a decade Brooks has spoken to over half a million people across North America. He shares his story in order to impact, motivate and inspire, ultimately changing attitudes and saving lives. Brooks was inspired to began his journey as a speaker after meeting Rick Hansen, fellow paraplegic, whose story moved him to hold a fundraising event, in which he swam across a lake. A request to share his experience at an elementary school touched off his journey as a speaker.
About the presentation at John Paul II Collegiate, Kaitlyn, 15, said: Kevin showed me that things may seem bad but things could be way worse. Kevin is really cool; after all he has been through, he is fighting through and sharing his story and making a difference and inspiring teenagers to make good choices. Kevin's presentation was fantastic!
Jeanny, 14, said: Kevin's story was a wake-up call for some students who go to parties and drink; some kids may think this "won't happen to them" and don't recognize the dangers, and Kevin reminded us that it could happen to us. People do die and are injured when they drink and drive. Kevin was a good influence on students.
Alia, 16, said: Although Kevin is in a wheelchair, he lives his life as best as he can. With Kevin, students saw the consequences of bad choices like texting and driving or drinking and driving. The videos he showed of himself before his collision made us think of what he might have been able to do had he not made the decision to drink and drive. He was really cool.
Nathan, 15, said: Kevin was very informative; every teenager thinks they are invincible, and it's not true. Kevin had a chance to do something different and chose to do the wrong thing, with terrible consequences. Kevin made me realize that everyone is human and we make wrong decisions and that we should try hard to make the right ones.
Photo submitted
