What is the proper ettiqute for doing a victim panel?

Question

I was convicted of drunk driving three years ago. I became so depressed and full of shame. I had a 3.9 GPA but I dropped out of school because of the depression.

I was rape two months before I was arrested. I am still trying to get over that.

Anways, I am going to do a drunk driving victim panel with MADD because I am a horrible person.

What will it be like? I am such a horrible person.

It was the worst decision of my life. I was pulled over going 10 over. I blew a .09. I feel so dumb. I am so horrible.

What can I expect? I havent' left my house since May

Answer 1

God loves all of His children.  All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.  Learn from every experience then move on.  God Bless You.

Answer 2

I'm confused.  This was three years ago.  Are you depressed about the DUI?  The best thing to do is get on with your life.  Get counseling for the rape if you need it but the DUI was a mistake and nobody was hurt, right?  My brother is permanently disabled because of a drunk driver.  July 2006 he was too drunk to drive so his friend drove home.  His friend was just as drunk.  Yeah, smart move.  He took a 90 degree curve at 100 miles an hour; my brother went through the windshield and stuck in it while it rolled three times. He was pronounced dead at the scene but revived via life flight.  He now has permanent brain damage at the age of 31.  That man should feel bad. Not you.  You just made a mistake that didn't affect someone else's life forever.  Just your own.  Move one.  Finish school and find happiness.  You deserve it.  We all make bad decisions, doesn't mean we should spend the rest of our lives punishing ourselves.

Answer 3

You can take this experience and use it to quit beating on yourself.  I am a recovering alcoholic and quit calling yourself a horrible person.  Drinking causes so many problems that I got tired of it and I feel better today.  You don't to live like that anymore because you are better than that!  I hope you are getting therapy for the rape because that might be the reason for your depression.  try AA because it really helps and God Bless You!!!!

Answer 4

okay - you're not a horrible person.  you're a person who made a mistake.  you'd qualify for "horrible" status if you were convicted again - lol.

i was convicted of a DWI when i was 21 - a FRESH 21.  i was so drunk that i didn't even realize that i couldn't drive!  a friend invited me to the bar so she could cry of her marital woes - and bought me a long island iced tea.  then some coworkers came in and they bought me a long island iced tea.  i don't know how many others bought me this same drink, but in the end, i had SEVEN, long island iced teas.

like a dummy - i rushed out of the bar to go pick up my then boyfriend from work - and hit a fire hydrant.  like a bigger dummy, i didn't know what else to do but call the police because "i've never been in an accident before".  i called, told the dispatcher "i'm drunk and just hit a fire hydrant - can you please send someone to help".  the dispatcher laughed - the arresting officer laughed - finally the judge laughed too.  

they laughed because i was not only dumb enough to drive drunk, but i was even more dumb to call the police on myself.  i thought i was doing the right thing!

$725 and several AA/ASAP classes later - i was finally "cleared".  i'd taken the defensive driving classes, luckily got no jail time, and paid my fines.  the dwi was to stay on my record for 11 years - so that would mean i've got two more years to go.

you live and you learn.  don't beat yourself up about it - just don't do it again.  we all make our mistakes and besides - what stories will you have for your kids when they get of age to do dumb stuff like you did as a kid if this hadn't happened?

and BTW - i blew a .22!  the cop was so nice that he felt that i should wait until after i got to the station to blow again - to see if it would lower some...and it did - to a .19.  yea - REAL dumb of me!

sorry to hear about the rape too.  i would suggest you get some counseling since you're admittedly depressed.  no need in feeling more hurt then you already do.  it's time to begin healing!

good luck!