MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING A MONTHLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER MINNESOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, & SOUTH DAKOTA REGION
JUNE 2023 • ISSUE 4 • VOLUME 1
HONORABLE SPOTLIGHT: TESSA, MOTHER OF BRENDEN
Hello! My name is Tessa and I’m a mom to six wonderful, beautiful kids. On September 22, 2017 my world was changed forever…my oldest (18), who just graduated high school, was killed by a drunk driver. In an instant our world stopped… One of my very first phone calls was to MADD. Luckily, because of my job, I was familiar with the organization. I was
PEER CONNECTION GROUP LAUNCHED & RUNNING Last month our Victim Services Team launched their monthly virtual Peer Connection Group, where they provide an opportunity to connect with individuals who share similar experiences through their process of grief. Discussions will be focused on commonly felt emotions, coping strategies, firsthand information, and resources for additional healing." Anyone who may benefit from this free & confidential group, please don't hesitate to reach out or ask any questions!
hopeful they'd help me understand what was happening since at the time, I just couldn’t process what was going on. Within days, I was put in contact with two beautiful human beings. They met with me, held my hand, let me cry on their shoulders and helped me understand where to turn for help and how to understand the court process. During the final court hearing one of them came and sat with me as I spoke at the sentencing. It’s now been five and a half years…neither of these women are with MADD anymore, but both continue to be a support system and reach out often. One of the new current MADD employees is actually a fellow classmate of my son and reaches out quite often. She has continued to tell my son's story and share him as well. Throughout the awful process, one sense of peace was knowing I wasn’t alone and that I had these two women in my corner. There was nothing I couldn’t ask them. Without them and MADD, I’m honestly not sure how I would have made it through the eighteen month court process, nor the coming years. It’s been an honor to share my son's story and to work with law enforcement and MADD when they were doing Death Notification trainings. It’s also been an honor for my son's picture to travel on one of MADD’s banners and for his story to continue to touch people.
UPCOMING EVENT!
WALK LIKE MADD SEPTEMBER 16th We hope that you will rally with us in Plymouth, MN. Sign up today using the QR code!
He had been accepted into a college in North Dakota and was looking forward to going the next year when his girlfriend had graduated. (continue p. 2)
Impaired driving can destroy so many lives in the blink of an eye…my son had his whole life in front of him.
He was wanting to get married and have his own family… he, along with two of his best friends, had dreams of owning and operating their own resort and guide service. The drunk driver was actually a friend of my sons, who was also 18 and had just graduated high school. Not just my own, but both families' lives changed in the blink of an eye…so many classmates, friends, community members lives changed…all because of a choice that didn’t need to be made. There’s so many options nowadays other than to get behind the wheel…I pray every day that my son's story helps other think before they make a choice that could destroy so many lives.
NOW HIRING Our region is looking for a Victim Service Specialist based in (or near) Bismarck, North Dakota! If you
or anyone you know may be interested or have any questions please feel free to reach out or apply directly by going to madd.org -> About MADD -> Careers STAY CONNECTED WITH US! We want to stay in touch with you! You can follow us on several social media platforms. MADD will frequently post what is happening on our social media. Like, follow and interact to get the latest updates on all things MADD.
JUNE IS NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH
National Safety Month is celebrated in June when people focus on how they can keep their environment safe and free from any danger. Help us in our mission to fight impaired driving by recognizing the signs of an impaired driver and knowing the safe
steps that you can make. WHAT TO LOOK FOR Quick acceleration or deceleration Tailgating Weaving or zig-zagging across the road Driving anywhere other than on a road designated for vehicles Almost striking an object, curb, or vehicle Stopping without cause or erratic braking Drifting in and out of traffic lanes Signaling that is inconsistent with driving actions Slow response to traffic signals (e.g. sudden stop or delayed start) Straddling the center lane marker Driving with headlights off at night Swerving Driving slower than 10 mph below the speed limit Turning abruptly or illegally Driving into opposing traffic on the wrong side of the road
WHAT TO DO
Stay as far away from the other vehicle as possible. Don’t put yourself in danger by passing the vehicle or trying to get the driver’s attention— you’ll only put yourself and others at risk of a crash. Try to get a good look at the license plate number and any other distinguishing details of the vehicle—the make, model and color, etc. Just make sure you don’t compromise your own safety while trying to get this information. Call 911. If you have a hands-free way to make calls from your car, great. Otherwise, pull over before making the call. Give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road or cross streets and the direction the vehicle is traveling. Give a complete description of the vehicle and the reasons you for suspecting the driver may be impaired.
VICTIM SERVICES CONTACTS
Northern Region Minnesota Courtni Peterson 651.523.0802 ext.2757 courtni.peterson@madd.org Southern Region Minnesota Hayli Littlehead 651.523.0802 ext.2760 hayli.littlehead@madd.org South Dakota, VS Manager Rachel Martens 605.309.3942 ext. 2752 rachel.martens@madd.org
Page 1 Page 2Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting