Hit by a truck while standing on the sidewalk

3 and 1/2 years ago, I was standing on the sidewalk waiting to cross the street when a pickup came through the intersection trying to turn right. His rate of speed and blood alcohol caused him to go up on the sidewalk and hit me. I am a nurse and have always wanted to be a nurse. I loved my job. The injuries I sustained left me with a paralyzed arm among other injuries. The driver was a young man in his 20's. The full extent of the law would have made him in his 30's when he was released. I do not believe this would have been rehabilitative. I asked the judge to give the minimum sentence with alcohol recovery classes. This young man had been very remorseful and when I reached out to him in a letter trying to understand the circumstances of the accident, he could have ignored my letter, but he called me and apologized again. We have all been young once, and have made mistakes. My forgiveness helped me enormously, and any anger or retribution would not have given me my arm back or my job. Before you react to a situation, think of the consequences of your reaction and remember that the other person is a human being.

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