Jacqueline Saburido will inspire and change you

Jacqui's story of strength and courage has got to be the one story that has always
stuck in my mind as I teach kids and teens out in the community and as I work busy weekends in the ED. Every time I have shared her amazing story and pictures with others it makes such an impact, I know for sure that many kids have been touched by her courage and by the life changing outcome of the driver who was drunk. Jacqui inspires everyone who meets her now or hears her story.
I love the reactions I get with teens in a full classroom as I show the before and after pictures of Jacqui, the shudders and squeals in horror of her face right after the crash, and the condition of that car. It makes such an impact and makes them think, this is real!! drinking and driving can actually hurt someone! and a normal person can be so stupid to crawl into a car, make one poor choice............only one......drive while under the influence of a substance and totally change the life of another person.

Please watch Jacqui's story, I know it is long, but do it for her, show it to your kids and your friends.

 

Jacqui's Commercial from Faces of Drunk Driving on Vimeo.

The Crash: September 19,1999~~
Natalia Bennett and four friends were headed home from a birthday party in West Austin. Her front seat passenger was Jacqui Saburido. It was a little past 4 in the morning on Sunday, September 19, 1999. Reggie Stephey, 18, also was on his way home. He had been drinking.

Less than a mile from his driveway, Reggie drifted across the center stripe and hit Natalia’s car head on. Natalia Bennett and Laura Guerrero died at the scene. Jacqui suffered third degree burns over 60% of her body after the car caught fire.

This is the most powerful image, that makes you think about life!

This one impacts the most teens.

The Driver » Reggie Stephey

Reggie Stephey was a senior at Lake Travis High School outside of Austin. A self-described jock, he had hopes of going to college on an athletic scholarship. But those dreams disappeared when he wound up drinking beer with friends and tried to drive home.

He drifted across the centerline and crashed his SUV into a car with 5 people. Two died on the spot, and Jacqui Saburido almost burned to death when the car caught fire.

Reggie was convicted of two counts of intoxication manslaughter and sentenced to seven years in the state penitentiary.

He was released in 2008 and lives in Austin, Texas. 

Reggie was a normal high school kid, not into trouble, a football player that wanted to go to college and play football. His dreams came to a very fast halt when he chose to

get into his SUV and drive.....................after drinking...............a very poor choice! 

Read more here  http://facesofdrunkdriving.com

Visit Jacqui's page to see how you can help her http://helpjacqui.com/

  deardrunkdriver.com/jacqui.htm

Will you think twice now about driving unsafe, intoxicated or under the influence of

any substance at all, even prescription meds that are sedating can cause this! Think before you drive! Call a ride home! Save a life, might be your own! 

Thanksgiving Safety Tips from Safe Kids USA

Thanksgiving is the time of year when family and friends gather together to enjoy a tasty meal and to celebrate the good things in our lives. Don't let a dangerous kitchen fire spoil such a happy occasion!
Did you know that cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States? On average, there are almost three times more cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day than on any other day. Moreover, Thanksgiving Day fires in residential structures cause more property damage and claim more lives than residential structure fires on other days.  
Follow some simple safety tips to protect your family and your home.

 

 Top Kitchen Safety Tips

Preventing cooking fires

• Never leave hot food or appliances unattended while cooking.

• Always be alert when you are cooking and not under the influence of medication or alcohol.

• Keep anything that can catch on fire at least 3 feet from the stove, toaster oven, or other heat source.

• Keep the stove top, burners, and oven clean.

• Do not wear loose fitting clothes that can catch fire if you stand too close to a burner.

• If you are frying, grilling or broiling food stay in the kitchen.  If you are baking or simmering check food frequently.

Preventing burns and scalds

• To prevent hot food or liquid spills, use the stove’s back burner and/or turn pot handles away from the stove's edge.

• All appliance cords should be kept coiled and away from counter edges.

• Use oven mitts or potholders when moving hot food.

• Open containers that have been in the microwave slowly and away from the face.

• Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.

Keeping Kids Safe

• Create a 3 foot Kid Free Zone around the stove.

• Never hold a child while cooking, drinking, or carrying hot foods or liquids.

• Young children should be more than 3 feet from any place where there is hot food, drinks, pans, or trays.

• Hot items should be kept from the edge of counters and tables.

• Do not use a tablecloth or place mat if very young children are in the home.

• When children are old enough, teach them to cook safely and always with help from an adult.

More information about burns and scalds can be found Here
Fire Prevention Tips found here
Thank you for the great information from the Safekids.org website!

Please stay safe this holiday season!!