By:Karenlyn Barone
After a party in the spring, Hawkins got in a car with a drunken driver. The young man lost control of the vehicle on the short drive home, and Hawkins was thrown from the car. He survived, but he lost use of both his legs.
Now Hawkins is a champion wheelchair athlete and motivational speaker who shares his story with students at schools across the South Shore. I made a bad decision, said Hawkins, of Malverne. My bad decision had a lifetime effect, so I share my story so that kids can learn from my mistake." Seeing Hawkins in his wheelchair has a chilling effect on the teenagers he visits.
Hawkins, who is now 40 years old, was drinking on the night of the crash. "I didn't keep myself sober and aware enough to judge whether or not the other guy was OK to drive," he said.
"The problem with our society," said Hawkins, "is that every celebration includes a toast with alcohol. And when you are talking about a prom for 17- and 18-year olds, that celebration should not include alcohol."
Nassau County District Court Judge Scott Fairgrave thought Hawkin's message was so powerful that he recently enlisted him to speak with people who are convicted of driving while intoxicated.
