Jamie Benedict Portage, Indiana, USA

C5/6, June 1999

I was paralyzed in a car accident at the age of 18 while visiting friends and family in Georgia. A drunk driver caused my accident, yet I am the one that has got to pay for his actions everyday for the rest of my life. This does not seem fair to me but neither does the fact that my government is playing politics where it should be helping to find a cure. One day I would like my father to dance with me at my wedding and have children I can play tag with in my back yard. These would be attainable goals if our government would realize the urgency. Please make it happen. In the meantime, I will be getting my business degree while trying to keep the complications of being a quadriplegic at bay.