Victims Stories • Patricia Grimm
I woke in the surgical submissions suites and saw my husband and son. My son was a high school senior. I was in the hospital for eleven days. I went under three major orthopedic surgeries, then released to a rehab hospital in Charlottesville for two weeks. I learned to transport and care for myself while in a wheelchair. My retired parents cared for me since I couldn’t walk nor drive while wheel-chair bound. I had another process of surgeries before learning to walk and drive again. Apart
from the physical injuries, and my partial disability, I may experience additional injuries as I age. I was 47 years old when I was hit and almost 60 now. However, my left knee is bone on bone and I found out that the offender had three DUIs in Virginia and had been driving without a license. Also, the offender was released a year before the crash for previous sentences. Drinking and driving is preventable. I feel like this offender was troubled and now cannot hurt anyone else. There was no criminal justice process.
I’m fortunate to have a strong, supportive family who had a lot of confidence in me to get through this. When someone impaired hits you, money doesn’t just appear; if anything, it affects your ability to work and make an income. As I age, I can only stand or sit at a computer for a set amount of time. If I didn’t have worker’s compensation, then I probably would’ve been in a financial crisis. I’m very fortunate for my family friends and that I'm still married. I became involved with MADD after looking for support. Although there were a lot of people out there providing PTSD support, I knew there must be an organization who offers support to victims and survivors of drunk driving “... One message I’d like to say is to be kind, be thoughtful. Consider and care about others and don’t drink and drive.” support ... The more help and support out there for victims of these crimes, the better, because it is needed.” “... I became involved with MADD after looking for
“... I had another process of surgeries before learning to walk and drive again.”
crashes. I found a trauma network support for families experiencing traumas. I found MADD while being a member of this trauma network. One message I’d like to say is to be kind, be thoughtful. Consider and care about others and don’t drink and drive. Please know that recovering, rebuilding life and moving forward is possible after experiencing a crash. You may not forget nor get over it; however, you learn to live, adjust and accept the new normal. The more help and support out there for victims of these crimes, the better, because it is needed.
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Annual Report • 2021
Mothers Against Drunk Driving ®
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