by Robin Wilder

Created on: April 08, 2008   Last Updated: November 10, 2008

As a convicted drunk driver, I can tell you a parking lot in front of a bar was not and would have never been the factor in my stupidity. It was not the first time I drove under the influence, but I can say it will be the last. Thank the heavens I didn't hurt anyone, but the fact will always remain, I could have. My family kept reiterating I could've have killed myself. That fact does not bother me as much. The fact that I could have taken another life because I made a selfish decision to drive home is the one I keep close to remind me. I'd much rather be writing this article than a letter to the family of someone I might have killed.

I attended a Madd class as part of my punishment and I have to tell you it was eye opening. Not just the program itself, but the amount of people who were court ordered to attend. The meeting was held in a church in Littleton, Colorado. There were one hundred and fifty people crammed into this small church and they still had to turn about twenty people away. These meetings are held at least two to three times a week and this was just one night. While waiting for everyone to get checked in, we sat in the church where they showed continuous pictures of victims of drunk driving.

As I looked around the room, I was amazed out how normal these people looked. They didn't look like the horrible selfish people I'd imagined. I don't look that way either but I sure felt it in my heart. I wondered if they felt it in their hearts. I don't feel like a bad person in general. I feel like I just made a very bad decision. But the truth is, I took other peoples lives for granted when I got behind the wheel intoxicated and that made me a bad person. I didn't kill anyone but I could of. All I can do now is learn from my mistake and never ever repeat it.

There were young and old, rich and poor in that church that night. If you've never attended a Madd class, I urge you to do so even if you're not court ordered. It is a once in a lifetime experience. You will see victims and potential killers come together in one place and teach each other humility, pain, and forgiveness. As an offender of this crime, I do not take offense to the outright rage people have for the drunk driver. I full heartedly agree. There is no excuse for this selfish downright despicable crime. All I can do is pass this message on to others and never again put others lives in danger through my ignorance.

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