AMARILLO, TEXAS -- In the United States, one person dies every 50 minutes drunk driving. It's a sobering fact from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Just this week, a 20-year old died after hitting a semi head on, driving the wrong way on I-40, alcohol is suspected as a factor.
Friday, students at River Road High School heard and saw first-hand the consequences of drinking and driving and its profound impact on someone's life.
When Sean Carter speaks, everyone listens.
"When grownups say they wish they knew now what they knew then, wow, I wish the same," said Sean Carter, Inspirational Speaker.
On March 27, 2005, Sean's life was forever changed. At the age of 22, he was the passenger in a one vehicle car crash that hit a tree that happened after he and two of his friends were drinking. They suffered minor injuries, while Sean now sits in this wheelchair unable to walk and can only speak by typing on his computer.
"I dream of having a good job. I dream of falling in love, getting married and having children of my own. I dream of driving again, I dream of running along the beach. I feel like God has been with us through the injury, but not like he places me in this situation," said Sean.
Sean and his mother Jenny now travel around the United States speaking to students, sharing their story with others and speaking on choices and consequences. Also how faith continues to push them through.
"We just had to move from the point of acknowledging the tragedy and accepting it to living with it, and it was a process," said Jenny Carter, Sean's mother.
Through the years, Sean says his mother has been by his side, pushing and pulling him through.
"This lady here with me is my number one angel. I don't say this enough but thank you mom for everything you do, I love you beyond the moon and back," said Sean.
Sean and Jenny, both say they hop their message changes lives.
"Drinking maybe worth it for that one night of fun, but that's all it is, one night and that you can overcome anything as long as you are still alive it just requires a conscious decision that you will overcome whatever obstacle is in front of you," said Sean.
This summer Sean and Jenny will move to Galveston, Texas where Sean is going to be a participant in a research project at the University of Texas Medical Branch there in Galveston.
"He's going to work with a professor at The School of Physical Therapy and 2 graduate students and we believe by the time they're finished with the research program at the end of the summer, he will walk out of there," said Jenny.
In August of 2010, Sean and Jenny were able to create WhenSeanSpeaks, Inc, a non-profit agency dedicated to raise funds solely for brain injury research.
To learn more about WhenSeanSpeaks, Inc. and more about Sean and Jenny click here.
Meantime, you still have a chance to listen to Sean speak at Pleasant Valley Methodist Church at 316 Valley Ave (for a map click here) Sunday at 10:30 am and 7:00pm.
