Thursday, April 30, 2009

Disability and Drunk Driving: A New Concept for Community Service?

One of the coolest orgs I get to work with is the Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), and one of the coolest people at AHEAD is Kim Probin. Often times, I’ll go to campuses for Disability Awareness Week or other disability programs, inspiring students with disabilities (and those without) to overcome their adversity, whatever their obstacles may be. This is usually separate from the alcohol awareness and DUI prevention programs I provide for college students.

But, thanks to Kim being such an innovative thinker, she recently managed to marry the two concepts together. I LOVE this idea and if there’s anyone who works in a non-for-profit who also has DUI offenders serving community service in their offices, please let me know and I’ll be happy to pass some books along to you. Who knows?! Kim may just be onto a new notion of impaired driving prevention! Here’s her note:



Hi Marcus!

The reason for this note is not about conference, exhibiting or anything like that. The purpose of this note is a couple of other things...

Last week, I received a phone call from a very nice girl named Annie. She is from Florida but now lives local here to the Charlotte, NC area. She was calling "non-profits" to see if she could find one willing to let her fulfill her obligation to do community service hours for the Department of Corrections. I was a little hesitant at first, but then found myself asking her some questions about her charges, how many hours she had to complete, etc. Annie went on to tell me that she was charged with a DUI last year when she was just 27 years old.

Maybe at one time, I wouldn’t have really thought about it too much. But, not this time... after all, I read YOUR story... now, there was a personal connection to this kind of thing for me. As we spoke on the phone about her charges, I found myself asking her if she had been in an accident, how they caught her, etc. Thankfully, she was not in an accident but she was caught speeding while intoxicated. She seemed to really focus on how much money this has cost her in fees, classes, fines, etc. I wanted to know though, did she REALLY learn the lesson in the "bigger picture?" During our entire conversation, my mind kept flashing back to your story. I kept thinking about how your life had changed and how I could make a difference so that this wouldn't happen to someone else.

Finally, I spoke with Stephan and we agreed... we would allow Annie to fulfill her community service hours with us. She said she would clean the office, file, run errands, and that sort of thing. But, I thought there was a better use of her time. My goal was to have her leave AHEAD with more than cleaning experience. I wanted her to learn something... REALLY learn something from what she had done.

Marcus, as I write this, Annie is sitting in another office with nothing to do but read your story. I want her to feel the impact of what could happen to someone's life because of a lack of judgment. I want her to realize that one moment is all it takes to change the entire course of someone's, as well as her own life forever.

I hope that you are okay with this and that you agree with the way I have decided to handle things with Annie. I know that you go and speak to large groups at schools and to special interest groups all over the country. But, I also want you to know that your story will be passed on even if it's one person at a time.

Thank you for being you!

Kim P.

MADD Florida & Marcus Engel Team Up!

MADD Florida Appoints New Vice Chair
Marcus Engel Accepts Leadership Role

TAMPA, Florida Noted author and motivational speaker, Marcus Engel, has accepted an appointment to the State Operating Council for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Florida. Marcus Engel’s message and MADD’s mission are a natural match,” said Don Murray, MADD Florida’s Executive Director. “His message of being blinded and catastrophically injured by a drunk driver, plus his journey of healing and recovery, are nothing short of extraordinary. We are thrilled to have someone of Marcus’ caliber joining our leadership team!”

On a cold autumn night during his freshman year of college, Marcus’ life was changed forever. A drunk driver, travelling at nearly twice the legal speed limit, struck the car in which Engel and other teenage friends were riding. Blind and facing hundreds of hours of reconstructive facial surgery, Marcus became one of the tens of thousands of Americans injured every year by intoxicated drivers.

Marcus had to endure more as a teenager than most of us will ever have to face in a lifetime,” said MADD Florida’s Council Chair, Mario Murgado. “We’re honored to partner with Marcus and we hope his experiences will help serve as another deterrent for Florida motorists.”

While still restricted to a hospital bed, a feeding tube and respirator, Marcus set his goal: return to college and recapture life. These goals sustained him through two years of medical recovery, a six-month stint at rehab school and one month training with a new Seeing Eye dog.

“This new position will allow me to give something back to MADD,” Engel said. “MADD gave my family so much support and advocacy following my crash. I want to use my resources, experiences and talents to support all of MADD’s missions, specifically the fight against impaired driving and underage drinking.”

Engel began speaking professionally during his senior year of college, sharing his inspirational message of prevention with audiences nationwide. His autobiography, After This… An Inspirational Journey for All the Wrong Reasons has empowered tens of thousands of readers to realize their potential and to strive for personal excellence. His latest book The Other End of the Stethoscope: 33 Insights for Excellent Patient Care” is an inspirational tribute to health care professionals, offering tips on treatment from the patient’s perspective.

For further information on MADD, visit www.MADD.org or www.WalkLikeMADD.org. For more information on Marcus Engel, visit www.MarcusEngel.com or call 314-852-4494.

Buckle Up, Floridians!

National Safety Council Praises Florida for New Primary Seat Belt Law

ITASCA, Ill., April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After years of work by traffic safety advocates, Florida is joining the majority of states that allow police to ticket drivers solely for failure to wear seat belts. The National Safety Council praises Florida legislators for voting to enact the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law, named for two young women killed in crashes while not wearing seat belts. The Florida House today voted to accept the proposal, 95-20. The Florida Senate also accepted it, 33-4, on April 28.


"The National Safety Council praises Florida, its dedicated state legislators and state leadership who helped achieve this truly significant goal. Florida is now poised to save hundreds of lives," said Janet Froetscher, NSC President & CEO. "Over the past 10 years the NSC and its Air Bag and Seat Belt Safety Campaign have worked hard with Florida to change the public mindset about seatbelts and safety. Today we share what must be a great level of pride in that state."


Currently, Florida law enforcement officers can not ticket someone older than 18 for not wearing a seat belt unless the person first commits another traffic offense. The new law will remove that requirement and impose a $30 fine for failing to buckle up. The new law will save an estimated 124 lives each year in Florida, prevent 1,700 serious injuries and save $408 million, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.


Florida Governor Charlie Crist is expected to sign the bill into law. Florida will then join 26 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing police to stop drivers for lack of seat belt use alone.


The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes, communities and on the roads, through leadership, research, education and advocacy.




SOURCE National Safety Council

Saturday, April 25, 2009

James Madison University




On Monday, April 13, I had the honor (and it was a TRUE honor) to work with James Madison University's SafeRide program. Dig this... and I'm going to come at this as if you, EE reader, are uninformed about SafeRide since I sure was!

JMU is a campus of approximately 17,000 students, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. A gorgeous campus near the Blue Ridge Mountains, an incredibly passionate group of students and a true desire to keep JMU students safe from DUI.

The SafeRide program is a 501C3 non-for-profit student run org which provides JMU students with sober rides on Friday and Saturday nights. Several rented cars driven by JMU students are dispatched to different locations when students call into the switchboard. Then, the sober chauffeur shows up, drives intoxicated students home and a threat for a DUI crash is now nill.

The JMU SafeRide program has approximately 200 volunteers who promote, drive, answer phones and, in general, help coordinate the SafeRide program. In the last several years since the initiation of SafeRide, over 10,000 safe rides have been given to JMU students. Think of that for a second...10,000 intoxicated drivers taken off the road. Not by the cops, not by the legal system, but by passionate students who simply want to see their friends arrive alive. Major props to the JMU SafeRide program for such fantastic work!

And special thanks to all my travelling companions who ran me back and forth to Charlottesville! Extra special thanks to Jamie Koslosky for being such an incredible client to work with! Thanks again, JMU! You guys rock!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

279 Tweens And One Better Person

Did you like high school?

Note: If you’re in high school now (or will be in a few years), disregard this question for now, but come back and answer it around 2025, okay?

So, did you like high school? Usually, this question gets one of two polar opposite reactions. Most folks either loved it… or loathed it. There’s not much in between!

However, when you ask about middle school, the response is almost always unanimous: “Hated it!” I know I sure did! I mean, this is when I so, so, so wanted to talk to these strange beings known as “girls,” yet I had all the communication skills of a Rhesus monkey hopped up on No Doz. I tripped over my own two ginormous feet, forgot to wear deodorant on a daily basis, my voice had more cracks than a plumber’s convention and, to top it off, I had hair growing in weird places (my apologies to all you visual learners).

So, when I was invited to go back and speak at my old middle school, I accepted… and promptly felt my face break out with zits.

When the day rolled around, I’ve gotta say, middle school isn’t nearly as traumatic as I’d remembered! Either that or 20 years means I’ve forgotten all that embarrassment… NOT!

Okay, serious stuff here… When I was doing Q & A with my Montgomery County R-II Middle School audience, I got one of those really profound (and unexpected) questions that make me love working with middle schoolers:

“Marcus, do you think you’ve become a better person since you lost your sight?”

I’m not sure I’ve ever had this question from this age group before, so I didn’t have a ready answer. Yet, every so often, I open my mouth and something appropriate pops out (not like that time I accidentally spat in my date’s eye at my first dance… ahhh the flashbacks continue!)

Okay, back to serious stuff again…

Question again: “Do you feel like you’ve become a better person since you lost your sight?” Answer? “Yes, absolutely! And I hope I’m a better person today than I was yesterday. And I hope tomorrow I’ll be a better person than I am today.”

For years, I’ve been a big advocate of constant self improvement. Yet, I’m not sure I’ve ever thought of it in this day-to-day realm. To be a better person than yesterday means I have to do something (anything, really) today. Right here and now. And tomorrow? Third verse, same as the first.

Ya know, the horrors of middle school were nothing compared with those life-changes after high school… but they DID help me become a better person. Yet, even if I didn’t have such a dramatic story, I hope I’d still be the kind of person who wants to make daily improvements. But that means putting forth a conscious effort. Every day, I want to learn something new, do something healthy, teach something important and experience something different.

As a 13 year old middle schooler, I was just happy to get home at night with my underwear still intact. Some days still feel like staying in bed might have been a better option – but now I know the bigger picture. A person’s actions, attitudes and choices… these are things we each control. Every day, sometimes even moment by moment! Each experience brings an opportunity to have that moment shape a positive tomorrow.

Years, life experience and a desire for daily improvement. These things add up to helping create a happy life. I hope you embrace the same goals and determination. And thank goodness middle school isn’t even close to the best years of life!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

"Sewanee: University of the South"

On Tuesday, April 14, I flew into Nashville (one of my favorite cities), but this time, it wasn't to go to Tootsie's nor Robert's Three Doors Down. This time, it was to head towards Chattanooga, through the mountains and stopping off at Sewanee, the University of the South.

Sewanee is a really interesting place with some fantastic southern hospitality! The president of the university is the mayor of the town, campus police are also the town police – the university IS the town. I often hear that statement when I'm in a small town with a college or university, but this time? It was literal!

Thanks to Nicky Hamilton for bringing me to Sewanee for Derby Days and the effort to provide students with an alternative message of alcohol abuse! I had a fantastic time with the fraternity and sorority members and Carson got lots of lovin' from Sewanee girls! Thanks also to Sewanee for one of the best lattes I've ever had!

The World's Greatest Philanthropy

Last week, I had an opprotunity to tour a part of the world's greatest philanthropy, Shriners Hospital of Tampa, FL. I became a Shriner one year ago, but this was the first opprotunity I've had to tour the the nearest hospital. When I mention to folks that I'm a Shriner, everyone immediately asks, "Do you have a funny hat? Do you drive a little car?" Funny hat? Yes! A little car? Nah, I leave that up to the Road Runner Unit at my Shrine Temple here in Orlando. But there are usually more questions about Shriners than I can answer. Thus, I turn to the Shriners International HQ to answer those frequently asked questions. Here's a quick list, right from HQ:


Frequently asked questions about Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children 1. What is Shriners International?Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth.
2. Who developed the concept of Shriners International?The fraternity was the brainchild of Dr. Walter M. Fleming and Billy Florence.
3. When was the first Shrine temple established?Mecca Shriners was organized in New York City in 1872.
4. When was the Imperial Council established?The Imperial Council was established June 6, 1876.
5. How many Shrine temples are there?There are 191 Shrine temples located throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama.
6. What is Shriners Hospitals for Children?Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind international health care system of hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs.
7. What is the connection between Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children?Shriners International founded and continues to operate Shriners Hospitals for Children.
8. When did the first Shriners Hospitals for Children open, and where is it located?The first Shriners Hospital opened in 1922, in Shreveport, LA, and focused exclusively on treating orthopaedic conditions.
9. What are Shriners Hospitals for Children' care disciplines today?Shriners Hospitals for Children provides treatment for orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Some Shriners Hospitals offer care for more than one specialty.
10. What are some examples of orthopaedic conditions treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children?Shriners Hospitals treat a full range of orthopaedic conditions. Some of the most commonly treated conditions are clubfoot, limb deficiencies and discrepancies, scoliosis (curvature of the spine), osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and orthopaedic problems related to spina bifida, cerebral palsy, dwarfism and muscular dystrophy.
11. When did Shriners Hospitals for Children begin providing burn care?The Shriners Hospitals specializing in burns have been leaders in burn care and research since opening in the mid-1960s. Treatment is provided for burn injuries and related scarring, along with physical and emotional rehabilitation.
12. When did Shriners Hospitals for Children begin to provide care for spinal cord injuries?In the early 1980's, Shriners Hospitals opened the nation's first spinal cord injury rehabilitation centers specifically designed for children and teens.
13. What criteria determine a child's eligibility for care at Shriners Hospitals for Children? Children up to age 18 are eligible for care at Shriners Hospitals for Children if, in the opinion of our physicians, there is a reasonable possibility they can benefit from the specialized services available. Acceptance is based solely on a child's medical needs. A family's income or insurance status are not criteria for a child's acceptance as patient.
14. How does someone apply for care or refer a patient to Shriners Hospitals for Children?Call the toll-free national patient referral line at 800.237.5055 in the U.S. or 800.361.7256 in Canada, or download an application for treatment online at www.shrinershosptials.org.
15. What does it cost for a child to receive care at Shriners Hospitals for Children?There is no charge for any care or services provided within Shriners Hospitals for Children facilities.
16. Where does the money come from to operate Shriners Hospitals for Children?As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Shriners Hospitals for Children relies on the generous donations of Shriners and the general public to carry out its mission and change the lives of children every day.
17. What percentage of the Shriners Hospitals operating budget is spent in direct support of the organization's tri-fold mission of treatment, research and education?Approximately 90 percent
18. How is Shriners Hospitals for Children different from other pediatric health care systems?Shriners Hospitals for children is the only pediatric multi-hospital system in the United States that provides all care and services at no charge to patients or families. Shriners Hospitals for Children is also the largest pediatric sub-specialty hospital system in the world, with the largest full-time staff of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons in the U.S.
19. How do Shriners Hospitals for Children contribute to the education of medical professionals?In the past 20 years, more than 8,000 physicians have received residency education or postgraduate fellowships at Shriners Hospitals. Shriners Hospitals for Children also maintains relationships with more than 60 medical teaching facilities worldwide.
20. How can I learn more about Shriners Hospitals for Children and Shriners International?To learn more, visit our website

Saturday, April 11, 2009

"This Will Be My Biggest Challenge"

A few weeks ago, one of the teeth on my bridgework broke off. This happens every so often and it's a quick run to the dentist to get it fixed. The thing is, my dentist is now 1000 miles away.

So, when this happened a few weeks ago, I was headed out the door the next morning for seven days of speaking engagements. Oh, what to do? Stand up in front of thousands of people with a giant tooth gap? Or visit a "regular" dentist nearby who isn't a super specialist like my guy back in STL? I chose the local option.

Well, that fix lasted for a couple of weeks until some chicken tenders for lunch on Wednesday gave me a recurrence of the issue. This time to another dentist.

However, this dentist I visited yesterday turned out to be an awesome experience! Not only does he have a state of the art office, complete with flat screen monitors everywhere where you can see your own X rays and medical history, but his staff was about as warm and welcoming as I've ever experienced. Where some doctor's offices balk at Carson, this office had at least half a dozen office employees who stood in line to pet him!

So, back to the dentist himself... after looking at my X-rays and visually inspecting my bridgework, I asked him how long this current bridgework may last. "At least a couple more years," he said. My dentist back in St. Louis is retiring this summer, so there's every chance someone else will be creating the new prosthetics. When I told my new Orlando dentist this, he was very honest and humble:

"Marcus, when that time comes, I can try. This will be the most difficult prosthetic I've ever created. I can't promise it will work, but I can try. If you'd prefer to go to a super specialist that does projects like this regularly, that's certainly your decision, but please know I'd be happy to try."

I LOVE his honesty! My mouth is my money maker, and I don't want to waste his time. So, imagine when the time comes, I'll turn to the super specialist. Still, I appreciate his humility of informing me this isn't his usual area of expertise. I want to know that my doctor knows his limitations and won't go in guns a-blazin' if he's not 110% certain there will be a favorable outcome.

This type of humility and honesty is what will keep me coming back to this doctor. No arrogance, no promises he can't keep, just a true desire to do what is best for his patient. And if you need a dentist in my hometown – I know a guy!

“Walk Like MADD”

We’re all familiar with “Race for the Cure” walks that help promote cancer research and awareness. Now, Mothers Against Drunk Driving is holding a similar event, “Walk Like MADD” to help raise funds to prevent impaired driving. The deets are below for the Florida event. My new friends with MADD Florida are some awesome people who are sure to make this a fantastic event! Please consider walking if you’re in the area, or donating as a virtual walker if you’re out of town. Thanks for your consideration and for your commitment to helping prevent impaired driving!

"Walk Like MADD Fundraiser" on Saturday, May 16 at 7:00am.Event: Walk Like MADD FundraiserWhat: FundraiserHost: Mother's Against Drunk DrivingStart Time: Saturday, May 16 at 7:00amEnd Time: Saturday, May 16 at 11:00amWhere: Tampa Lowry Park ZooTo see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:http://www.WalkLikeMADD.com

Fullerton Tragedy

Early Thursday morning the country learned of the senseless death of Nick Anderhart, a 22 year old pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels. After pitching his first start of 2009 on Wednesday evening, the car in which the young athlete was riding was struck by a drunk driver. Anderhart and two other passengers were killed in the crash.

One of these passengers, a 20 year old CSU-Fullerton Alpha Chi Omega, was in my audience in November when I presented at the University. When I read stories of this tragedy, its proximity to the university and the ages of the passengers, it became apparent very quickly how close to this crash that I was.

This morning, I wrote to Nick Katz, the director of Greek Life at CSU-Fullerton. After spending the day with Nick when I was on campus, I've come to know him as a friend. When I learned that the CSU-Fullerton student had indeed been in my audience, my heart went out even more to that university's community. Such a senseless crash... and one which could have been easily prevented.

This morning, I sent a message to the president of the Alpha Chi Omega chapter and I'd like to include it here. It's nothing profound because there's simply nothing to say other than, "I'm sorry." This crash shouldn't have happened and three young people should not have had their lives cut short by an impaired driver.

Again, I send my sympathy to the CSU-Fullerton community, the family and friends of Nick Anderhart, the Angels pitcher, and the young law student whose life was also lost...

**********

To the ladies of Alpha Chi Omega,

Last fall, you may remember a keynote speech I delivered for the Greeks at CSU-Fullerton. In this program, I shared my experiences after being blinded and nearly killed by a drunk driver. After the tragedy this week in Fullerton, I wanted to write and extend my sympathy to you, the Alpha Chi Omega chapter and the entire CSU-Fullerton Greek community.

Any death makes us stop and take a different look at life. When this happens to a young person with their entire life in front of them, it has the tendency to leave everyone reeling. And when the death is such a senseless and preventable tragedy as you experienced this week, the unanswerable question comes up again and again: Why?

When that question arises, it often leads to anxious, gut-wrenching pain... because there is no good answer. This simply should not have happened. While you'll probably never get an acceptable response to "Why?", I do hope this will somehow help you, your sisters, your family, friends, fellow CSU-Fullerton students and maybe many others understand just how precious (and precarious) life is. I also hope it will encourage you to hug your loved ones a little closer, always knowing the world can change in an instant.

No one can ever know precisely what another person is going through. We simply can't step into another's skin and mind to feel what they feel. We can sympathize, but never accurately empathize. Still, having experienced vast amounts of frustration and anger over a useless lost due to another's irresponsible choices, I've been helped so, so much by helping hands and listening ears of others. If I can return this favor by helping the sisterhood, please don't hesitate to contact me. I can't promise an answer to the question of, "Why?", but I can certainly be a hand to hold and a shoulder to cry upon.

With sympathy,

Marcus Engel
Orlando, FL

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Carson Is MUCH Cuter Than Me!

Do Dogs Look Like Their Owners? Yes
Friday, April 03, 2009 By Robert Roy Britt

People can guess pretty successfully what breed of dog a person might own just by looking at the owner, a new study finds.
A group of 70 people who do not own dogs were asked to match photos of 41 dog owners to three possible breeds — Labrador, poodle or Staffordshire bull terrier.
They matched the owners to the dogs more than half the time. Yet given three choices, they should have been right only about a third of the time.
"This suggests that certain breeds of dogs are associated with particular kinds of people," said study leader Lance Workman, a psychologist at Bath Spa University in the U.K.
It's no secret that people are obsessed with pets. Two-thirds of American households have at least one, and dogs are the top choice (though by sheer numbers, fish win out).
And dog owners are particularly so, suggests a study in 2007 that found when a pet goes missing dog owners contact and visit shelters much sooner than cat owners.
The analysis runs deep: Those who don't own dogs used stereotypes to match the dogs to their owners, Workman figures.
"These stereotypes persisted into judgments of the dog owners' personalities: non dog owners considered the owners of each breed to share certain personality traits, such as level of conscientiousness and emotional stability."
The real connection is only skin deep, however.
"But when we tested the dog owners' personalities, we found no strong links between any particular personality trait and choice of dog breed, so any shared qualities are only skin deep," Workman said.
A similar phenomenon happens among couples. People tend to be attracted to those who have personalities similar to their own, according to a study done in 2006. And as time goes on, similarities in appearance grow, explaining why some older couples look alike.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Southern Wesleyan University

This week, I had the opportunity to do several programs for Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina. In addition to SC now being my home away from home, it was awesome to work with such a fantastic group of students! Thanks to Nurse Lori Herron for bringing me to SWU, to all the students who attended Tuesday and Thursday chapel services and especially to the group of ladies who came to the Wednesday night faith-based program – you guys are awesome!

Thanks for helping reinforce why South Carolina is one of my favorite places in the land!