Sean Carter and his mom Jenny spoke to high school students this morning about choices and how alcohol, automobiles and asphalt don't mix. Sean was injured 16 years ago at age 22 in a wreck after going drinking with friends. Sean's mother said that Sean forgot one of the most important things when going out for a night--to make sure the designated driver is sober.
In Sean's case, his driver was estimated to have consumed about a dozen drinks in an hour. He lost control of his pickup and slammed into a pole on the passenger side--exactly where Sean was seated. The right side of Sean's body sustained numerous injuries and he required immediate surgery. Over the course of his hospital stay, Sean was given 22 units of blood.
Some people mistakenly assume Sean is paralyzed. He is not. Among all of Sean's injuries, the most devastating was a TBI (traumatic brain injury). Most people who suffer the sort of TBI he sustained live in a permanent vegetative state. Sean is more fortunate. His injury may have caused his brain to cease communicating with his body as far as walking and talking go, but he is able to use a stand-up walker to move and has an app he can type into that speaks for him. He is working out, and will be continuing therapy with a new group of professionals in the Houston area who plan to help him get to where he can walk without the use of a walker.
In Sean's speech, he talks about feeling hopeless for awhile. He spoke frankly about depression and wanting to kill himself but not being physically able to. He credits God and his mom for lifting his spirits. He now enjoys going around and sharing his message with students across the state and nation. He urged students to have the courage to be different and say no to alcohol. He accepts that if he had not been drinking and had he made sure the driver he was with was sober, he would not have a TBI today.
His message was an eye-opener for students, and they asked several questions after his presentation. He and his mom answered all their questions and Sean challenged the students not to drink, adding that he had wished someone other than his mom had challenged him to be different and not drink like everyone else in his small town.
Sean and his mom travel mostly around the Texas and are funded by TxDot and Texas A&M AgriLife's "Watch UR BAC Program." For more about Sean and his mom, you can find them on facebook at "WhenSeanSpeaks" and also online at www.WhenSeanSpeaks.com.