Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

On March 30, Salmon River Central (SRC) school invited the Save a Life Tour to campus to encourage their students to “take the keys” from friends or anybody they suspect to have been drinking. The Save a Life Tour is a drunk driving campaign reaching-out across the country in an effort to reduce the number of people affected by drunk driving each year. SRC brought guest speakers and one of three portable drunk driving simulators to engage students and get them learning about the risks.

The drunk driving simulator was set up in the SRC arena and was an effective way to let students experience the dangers of drunk driving in a controlled environment. Students were asked to get into the drivers seat and take a virtual drive along city streets. Their progress was projected onto larger screens for the audience to watch. The longer they drove the more the equipment simulated a higher Blood Alcohol Content (B.A.C.) level and driving became increasingly difficult.

“It was hard, and scary,” replied Danielle Hutchins after her experience with the simulator. “I would definitely take the keys away.”

Although most students had fun with the simulator laughing at their friends futile attempts to stay in control the seriousness of the workshop was reinforced by a visit from drunk driving survivor Sarahlee Skidders.

Skidders attended SRC as a sophomore and was an active student who loved playing sports. On July 22, 2007, Skidders and some friends decided to go to a party in Snye. Skidders drove to the party and after a few drinks gave the keys to a friend. But, she somehow got them back and decided to drive a friend home.

“I was not thinking,” said Skidders. “Normally, I always wore a seatbelt and that night I wasn’t and was ejected from the vehicle.”

Ranonkwatseriio Thompson getting instruction from Cejay Rich before his test drive.

Skidders was transported to Cornwall, ON and then to a hospital in Ottowa, ON. There it was discovered she had a brake at the T6 and T7. It took two years of rehabilitation before she could return home to continue her life from a wheelchair.

“I was always athletic in sports,” continued Skidders. “It almost felt like I didn’t have anything anymore.”

Skidders said that after the accident getting her high school diploma became her biggest priority. She received her diploma last Jan. and said it was a major accomplishment.

“I didn’t have this opportunity when I was in school,” Skidders commented about the Save a Life Tour. “I think it is a worthwhile experience for students today.”

Thanks to the Save a Life Tour and the commitment of SRC to protect their students more high school students are becoming aware of the dangers of drunk driving and hopefully will be motivated enough to save a life.

Photos by Mary La France