We lost our son at 13 days of age in 2008. I understand how these, and other, parents are feeling. While we did not have the time to digest the gravity of our son's condition (it appeared out of the blue and after the NICU staff had told us he was doing so much better than expected - it took only 2 1/2 days to go from onset to incompatible with life), we had to deal with it just the same. Compassionate Friends has a balloon release every year, which we attended in 2009. They are a wonderful resource for support, which I would reccommend to any greiving family. Additionally, Lamb Portrait Studio did our bereavement photos, which we have displayed on our social networking sites and will be incorporating into our family reunion next year. Our angel actually led us to a previously unknown family member with his same name - which led us to discover our extended family. Though our little guy can't be here with us in life, his spirit has guided us in the present. We love all you little angel babies!
Never said all. I only discussed this experience. Are you insinuating that it didn't/doesn't happen every minute of every day? I would then have to prescribe a few sociology and stratification courses for you. When one isn't directly experiencing the event personally and for a lifetime it is very easy to say, "It wasn't my fault . . ." or "Get over slavery/racism already . . ." We were personally told by the Sheriff of a local small, annexed-type town to stay out of a particular city at night because there are active KKK and 1%ers there. Are you saying there are no racist jailers and staff/inmates?
Another bummer is the city now has a contract with the local law enforcement that each vehicle is towed, regardless of the passenger's ability to drive it home, so I had to call someone to come get me, and pay for the charges associated with that (and SATOP, etc . . . .) Boy, as a criminal justice/sociology major, I truly intended to steer clear of problems like these! That's what we get for trying to have a night away from kids! :)
He does, however, have the permit and that is also messing with us since he does not have a hard copy of his license any longer. He has to rent vehicles for work and is actually gone this week - having to take our personal vehicle (which I don't trust to go long distances, but that is another story). We are waiting for the administrative hearing and will know more after that, though our attorney told us that since he blew, the prosecution pretty much has its case sealed unless, by some luck, the city/county forgot to calibrate their machinery. (I'm sure it's not a long stretch to figure out the asterisks, lol).
I thought that was the procedure, also. Our attorney advised us (and he is only one of the best (and costly) defense attorneys in town) that he would have (at best result) been able to keep him driving with no problems and maybe pead C& I or something of the like. As for the jail time, we have insurance (our vehicle would be repo'd if not) and our tags were legal. There are no other charges. There was no option for bond and it was a mandatory 24 hours. This was not in Springfield, but a neighboring city if that makes a difference. They did not let him use the bathroom the entire time - they told him to urinate/defecate in a corner with several other males in the holding cell with him. They ridiculed him and belittled him. It is definitely an experience we do not want to repeat, and did not intend to place ourselves in to begin with. As I mentioned earlier, when we know we will be having more to drink than necessary, we will take a cab or find a driver. I never thought there would be a problem with a few drinks with dinner!
To clarify: He passed the FST. They were going to fingerprint and release until good 'ol boy supervisour happened upon what was happening. As he does not have a degree in the criminal justice field as I do, he did not know to refuse to blow. When he was threaened with his license for a year which would put the only income earner for five children and a wife out of work, he did it. Once that happened, they decided to keep him for the 24 hours. My comment was to illustrate the discretion officers have in every action they perform, and to highlight the possible race conflict still breeding today - especially in our smaller towns. They could have let him go after he clearly passed the FST, but carried it on further.
Funny, my partner was not given a second chance to blow at the jail. I'm not sure where your information comes from, but it is not accurate for all individuals. Additionally, for the entire 24 hours he was there, he was given no access to restroom facilities and was ridiculed by the local small town jail administration - including comments made about his race. We truly believe this is the only reason he was actually arrested, as they told him he was a "fingerprint and release" at the checkpoint - until good 'ol boy supervisor came upon us. But, we have no real proof . . . .
Funny you should mention that - my aunt told me a story from when she had been in her early 20's in Springfield. She ran into the rear of her friend which she was following and the officer told them to get home and drink another one. He let them DRIVE!! Maybe that was a little too lenient . . . .
If someone is very large in height and weight, then the two or three does not affect them as it would the average sized individual. Additionally, females process slower than males. In our case, and again, we have receipts to prove it, it in fact DID put him at .09.
As for the donation, my partner is a major advocate for donation and has worked for an organ/tissue not-for-profit in two states for 10 years now. We absolutely understand the grief. Though we did not lose our son to an auto accident, we did lose a son just the same. We recognize and empathize with the pain those families go through.
In fact, they usually do selective stops. Not everyone is questioned - many are just waved through. Crim 101.
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Invention