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What happened to Denise

In 1995, Denise Wagoner was involved in a near fatal car crash, the victim of an impaired driver. She had multiple skull fractures, crunched vertebrae, crushed ribs, and a swollen brain. Every facial bone was broken, her arm was broken, and she lost her sight. Doctors did not expect her to live another 24 hours. Denise survived, later to have extensive surgery fifteen times, seven on her face alone. She is now disfigured and blind, with permanent brain damage. This life changing experience was the result of her own actions. Denise was the impaired driver.

Denise has spent the last two years sharing her story, and has spoken to high school classes, drivers education programs, and convicted DUI offenders about her experience. She shares a powerful message about impaired driving, drug abuse, alcoholism, wearing of safety belts.

The myths of drinking and driving

• MYTH 1: You can sober up with black coffee, a cold shower, fresh air or exercise.
  REALITY: Only time can sober up a person. Many factors contribute to how much alcohol it takes for a person to become impaired. A person's weight and how much food they have in their stomachs at the time of alcohol consumption are two such factors. For example, depending on height and weight of a someone who has had five drinks in two hours will probably need at least three more hours without alcohol to sober up. Research shows the effects of alcohol take longer to wear off on women. Women generally get tipsy faster and stay high longer than men matching them drink for drink.

• MYTH 2: Drinking beer or wine will not make you as drunk as hard liquor.
  REALITY: A 12-oz. beer, a 5-oz. glass of wine, and a 1-oz. shot of hard liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol. Depending on your drink of choice, it may actually have MORE alcohol than a shot of hard liquor.

• MYTH 3: You can tell if a friend is drunk by looking at him.
  REALITY: Judgement is the first thing affected when someone has been drinking and important motor skills are next. Even one drink can impair someone's ability to drive. Someone's physical appearance can be misleading

• MYTH 4: I'm OK.. I've only had 1-2 beers.. I only live a few miles away..I can make it.
  REALITY: You may feel alright, but the alcohol has already impaired your reflexes, motor skills, and thought processes. If you drink and drive..it's only a matter of time before you are stopped and taken into custody or kill someone. Is it really worth it?

• MYTH 5: If arrested, I'll hire the best DUI attorney in town to defend me.
  REALITY: A cop with an establish DUI arrest/conviction record, training, and experience will always prevail in court.

Your options

Continue to drink and drive: "I can handle it.. I've done it for years!"

Opt not to drink if you intend to drive. Find a designated a driver before you drink. As a last resort, call a cab! (cheaper than court costs) call a friend, supervisor, anyone! (Free) call AADD for help! (Free)