It was like any other summer Friday afternoon for Verner resident Alain Gareau as he rode his Harley home after work but in one split second a drunk driver changed his life forever.
On June 10, 2011 the volunteer firefighter and search and rescue official suffered life altering injuries when a driver who was found to be three times over the legal limit cut Gareau off on the road.
Overcome with emotion Gareau had his wife Trina share his story during the local MADD Canada’s 26th annual Red Ribbon campaign launch at Kia North Bay on Wednesday.
Gareau says the accident changed his life forever leaving him unable to continue working and his beloved volunteer jobs but says finding MADD Canada has given him a new focus – to stop people from driving under the influence.
“Since that day his life has changed,” reads from his prepared speech.
“His independence and his abilities to perform the simplest tasks are now dependant on others. He suffers from back problems that can never be fixed by specialists.”
“He realised one day that he had to make a change and he found MADD Canada. He can honestly say that was the best thing he’d ever done. He found strength and was determined to stop people from driving under the influence once, now he is fighting this cause to keep drivers who are under the influence off the roads.”
His mission is the same for law enforcement agencies and the members of MADD Canada and Nipissing Chapter President Erin Celebre says Gareau’s message helps is a powerful one that will help the chapter get thinking and talking about making the right choice.
