In Our Hearts
By
Jan Withers
|
February 4, 2013
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Filed in:
National President
,
Victim Services
On a TV show I watched recently, a young woman was clinging to a pink felt heart. Her friend pointed to it and asked, “What’s this about?” The woman responded, “It was sewn on a teddy bear that I carried around everywhere when I was a child. I never let go of that bear. I finally wore it out, and this heart is all I have left,” she replied. He very gently responded, “You have the best part.” He then pulled a tiny piece of paper from his wallet. It was from a Chinese fortune cookie she had given him the first time they met. On it was written, “Today’s new friend is tomorrow’s family.”
This month, many of us whose loved ones were killed by impaired driving will pull out Valentine cards that are now—like my heart’s feelings—a little tattered around the edges. My eyes often fill with tears as I think, “this is all I have left of Alisa. I want more.”
But then, Alisa’s lovely spirit tiptoes to the front of my heart. You see I carry her in my heart, everywhere I go. She has always been there—before she was born, to the time that she danced around us on this earth, and even now when her beautiful spirit lives in my heart, as it does in so many others. I never let go of that girl.
On Valentine’s Day—and every day—remember that our loved ones live on in our heart. In our hearts… that’s the best place, now. I am so grateful for all of the gifts Alisa continues to give me, and I am sure that your loved ones fill your heart with gifts of love, too. May your Valentine’s Day give you warm moments of lovely memories.
Each of us connects to MADD for our own reasons, and so we are connected to one another. I cherish our bond as I cherish every one of you. On this Valentine’s Day, whether or not we have met in person, I thank you for being in my life. Today’s new friend is tomorrow’s family. How true that is.
Warmly,
Jan
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Stepping Down
By
Jan Withers
|
January 29, 2013
|
Filed in:
General
,
National President
MADD is extremely grateful for Secretary LaHood’s leadership and his commitment to issues of highway safety during his time in office. He has truly been a leader in drunk driving prevention by supporting MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and demonstrating a willingness to find long-term solutions to drunk driving, such as the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS). I have had the pleasure of working with Secretary LaHood on numerous occasions, and he is always a tireless advocate for saving lives and preventing injuries on our nation’s roadways. We wish him continued success and happiness in the future, and we look forward to working closely with his successor to make our roads safer for American families.
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| David Strickland, Jan Withers and Ray LaHood |
Dateline Holiday Episode
By
Jan Withers
|
December 13, 2012
|
Filed in:
Drunk Driving
,
National President
Words to describe the taping experience for the holiday episode of Dateline NBC are as varied as the subjects on the show. Three groups of people took part in three scenarios. They were everyday folks, under the impression that they were there to rate holiday treats, wines and decorations, which they did. Andrea Canning, the NBC correspondent, gave the participants instructions, and then left the room for about 10 minutes, so they could confer privately on their ratings.
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| Jan watches the hidden camera footage with Dateline’s correspondent and producer. |
Among the group were two actors, one of whom was charged with guzzling the wine (his bottle really contained grape juice) and acting drunk.
When Andrea rejoined the group, she invited them to return to their chauffeured vehicles and travel on to another venue where they would do some more sampling and rating. Of course, the actor pretending to be impaired announced he would take his own car.
Participants were surrounded by cameras with Andrea in the room, but after she left, they thought they were “alone.” However, cameras were still watching, hidden in the ice bucket, the lamp, the microwave oven, and at various spots in the parking lot. Would these adults stop this person who was obviously impaired from getting behind the wheel?
I observed with fascination in a side room, listening to their concerns and debates. After each scenario was complete, Andrea would ask them why they made the decisions they did. Then I was invited to join them and share with them my observations and some tips for handling this type of situation in the future.
My own reactions from behind the curtain shocked me. At some points, I was fighting tears of discouragement. Soon thereafter, I was again filled with tears, this time of hope and pride – more precisely, pride in my fellow womankind. The evening was a rollercoaster of emotions. The evening was entertaining. The evening was enlightening. The evening was energizing.
I encourage you to tune in and let me know what you think!
Warmly,
Jan
A Season to be Thankful
By
Jan Withers
|
November 20, 2012
|
Filed in:
General
,
National President
Thanksgiving is Thursday (I can’t believe 2012 is already coming to an end!), and this year there are so many things I’m thankful for — like my family, my friends and MADD. I’m thankful for a way to honor my daughter, Alisa Joy, each and every day through my work with MADD. I’m thankful that after all of this time, I can see a future without drunk driving.
I’m also thankful for you. Your time, money and support of MADD’s mission has helped us save almost 300,000 lives and serve more than 300,000 victims and survivors… and counting.
While it felt like a whirlwind to me, we’ve done some amazing things together this year — our MADD family helped pass stronger ignition interlock laws in several states, served one victim of drunk driving every eight minutes, and assembled a Power of You(th)™ Teen Influencer Group that helped us create a teen booklet to help prevent underage drinking.
So, thank you for your support — we could not make such important change in the world without committed supporters like you.
Wishing you a warm, safe and happy Thanksgiving, from all of the MADD volunteers, staff and board members!
Sharing Their Stories to Save Lives
By
Jan Withers
|
October 11, 2012
|
Filed in:
Drunk Driving
,
National President
,
Underage Drinking
During MADD’s National Conference a couple weeks ago, I had the privilege to spend time with Leo and Janice McCarthy. Leo has been honored as a 2012 Top 10 CNN Hero for starting Mariah's Challenge in honor of their 14-year-old daughter, Mariah, who was killed by a drunk driver as she was walking home.
I also got to see Melissa Stegner, who entered my life at MADD's Teen Influencer Summit this summer, and so eloquently spoke at our conference. Her quiet graciousness complements her fortitude and passion in speaking out against drinking and driving, as well as underage drinking. She describes herself as shy, but musters the strength to work at this prevention because her father and older brother were killed by a drunk driver.
I invite you to read the beautiful article, What sways teens not to drink, drive? Stories, not stats, highlighting both of these amazing individuals.
You can also click here to vote for Leo McCarthy to become the CNN Hero of the Year.
