Walking

Today at school we had an ICBC presentation in Chapel. This dude, I think his name is something like Kevin Brooks, came to tell us about how he wound up in a wheelchair, paralyzed. He was a big party guy, y'know, the ones who bring cases of beer and drive home completely smashed. And he spent all high school, and years after, doing the same sort of thing, but making it home okay. And then one night he didn't, and he wound up in the hospital for six weeks with tubes coming and going everywhere, and his passenger died. And that was so harsh to listen to. So harsh.
And it's such a reality check, because when we wound up finishing off the Chapel, Sloffee asked if anyone wanted to come lay hands on him and pray, and I totally went up... and he's just a normal guy. Y'know, maybe somewhere in his twenties. He looks like a totally decent, nice guy. I dunno, it just really made me think. Maybe somewhere, sometime, ICBC and all those other corporations that send speakers? Maybe they got smart, and realized that people like me- we listen to people like him.
It hurts that so many people don't listen though, and think they are invincible. HOW MANY DEATHS, and horrible stories, DOES IT TAKE? How much do they have to see before they realize just how stupid this all really is.
The whole time he was talking I wanted to cry. Did, maybe a little, for more than just him. I cried a little for Bart, too... My cousin, who wound up in a motorcycle accident, nearly DEAD and in the ICU for such a long time. I saw him, my word, I guess the last time is about 1 year ago, but it feels like yesterday. He's so full of life, but he's different too... head trauma. One of my favorite cousins, seriously. Love him to bits.
And I can't get over how stupid all these things start as- drinking a little more than you should; holding onto the keys when someone wants to take them; forgetting obvious, little things (like driving on the right side of the road...)
Kevin can't walk anymore. Maybe more people should be walking.