Posted by Not a fan and here is why on November 01, 1998 at 01:37:36:
In Reply to: Awareness posted by Stacey Harmis on October 31, 1998 at 09:55:37:
Stacey:
Thought you might like to see this before you expect something from Ann Landers.
From 1997
"Dear Ann Landers: I am outraged that California, unlike many other states,
does not have specific laws regarding diabetic drivers. Last May, my two best
friends were hit by a diabetic driver who ran a red light while having a
diabetic seizure. One friend, ``Monica,'' was killed instantly, and my other
friend, ``Robert,'' her fiance, suffered critical head and chest injuries.
The right side of his brain was severely damaged. He probably will never be
the same.
The man driving, who has been a diabetic for 20 years, was not injured and is
probably still out there driving. He stated in the police report that he is
supposed to test his blood sugar daily, but he hadn't tested it for three
days, nor had he seen his doctor for two years. He admitted that he never ate
breakfast (which every diabetic knows is risky) and simply drank a glass of
orange juice when he felt his blood sugar was low. The night before the
accident, he'd had three or four beers -- another diabetic no-no.
The district attorney's office has not pressed charges. They said if that man
has any other accidents, they will charge him with vehicular manslaughter,
but I guess they felt he was not negligent in this case. I wish that diabetic
driver could spend one day with my friend Robert and see what he has done to
him.
Monica, who was an A student, was killed just three weeks before she would
have received a degree in nursing, graduating with honors. Her promising
future in nursing was lost forever, and there will be no wedding bells for
her and Robert.
I must do something about this. Where can I write for help in changing the
California laws and saving lives? -- J.K., San Diego, Calif.
Dear J.K.: Letters such as yours make me so angry I can't see straight. While
most diabetic drivers are conscientious about monitoring their condition,
those who deliberately put others at risk should be held responsible. The man
who caused the death of a young woman and the crippling of a young man is
walking around free as a bird, and District Attorney Paul Pfingst's office
says if that driver has another accident, he will be charged with
manslaughter. Now isn't that lovely?
Write to your state senator, William Craven, and tell him you want him to do
something about that law now. Urge your friends and relatives to do the same.
Elected officials respond to pressure. His address is State Capitol, Room
3070, Sacramento, CA 95814. And send him a clipping of this column."
Friend or foe? I don't know. You be the judge. But I can imagine that the laws this kind of letter writing campaign might create would not be well received here unless you are one of those who believe that diabetics need to be "better managed"... protected from themselves and prevented from injurying others because everyone knows that behavior modification is the best way to help diabetics.