Change Our Laws in West Virginia to Protect the Pedestrians

My name is Greg Cunningham. My wife and I are from the beautiful state of West Virginia And currently reside in the capital city Charleston. The following is a true story which accounts an almost fatal accident that happened to my wife four years ago - the day changed the course of our lives forever. Before the accident Debbie was an unbelieveably kind and hardworking registered nurse for twelve years. Most of her career was spent at Carleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) in the medical rehabilitation unit. To this day her co-workers would testify that she was one of the best nurses in her unit. She went the extra mile to make sure the patients care went above and beyond. What she loved most about her job was the patients. The people she took care of consumed her life and wrapped around every fiber of her being, she wouldn't have it any other way. She spent countless hours studying and making sure her certification was always up to date. You couldn't find a more dedicated medical professional than Debbie Cunningham and the accident came as a monumental loss to the medical community and especially the patients she loved so dear.

January 1, 2008 started out like any other New Year's Day and we conducted our daily business as usual. I started watching the football game on t.v. and Debbie was not a fan of the sport like me so some friends of ours from church called and invited Debbie to go with them to a movie, so she went and I stayed home. Around 5:30 pm after the movie Debbie pulled into a local grocery store parking lot to get a few things for home as she always does except this time would prove to be much different. My wife was innocently walking across the parking lot when out of nowhere a speeding car struck her fragile body.She went 6 to 8 feet into the air and her head landed directly on the pavement is what the eyewitness told me later and from that moment, she was in a coma for 18 days only to awake to find she had no past memories. If that were the least of her worries. After spending 18 consecutive days in the intensive care unit (ICU) with numerous hoses and tube protruding from all over her body, she was taken to a step down unit for four more days. For the next 22 days she spent countless excrutiating hours in the medical rehabilitation unit trying to regain mental capacity, healing her body and mending her broken spirit. The amount of time she spent in the hospital is a short time span compared to the rehab and loss she continues to face to this day. Four years later, Debbie is still unable to drive a vehicle which inhibits her independence. It has been decided by her doctor that she will never be able to work or drive again and she has to have 24 hour a day supervision for the rest of her life. She struggles with her self worth on a daily basis. Debbie's diagnosis is that she has a traumatic brain injury.

The accident not only affected Debbie physically and mentally, but monetarily as well. It has been determined that her wages and loss of earnings would be a grand total of $1,268,388. The woman who hit Debbie was never sited even though she had no car insurance or driver's license. She was never fined or spent any time in jail for her actions. This woman wasn't even requested to appear to testify in the recent lawsuit we brought agains her. Not only did this woman walk away with no penalties, but the grocery store who was also involved in the lawsuit wasn't penalized for their lack of safety precautions as well. They have no crosswalks, pedestrain crossingsigns or warnings. After the accident the store owner didn't even call to check on Debbie. The only person being held accountable for this horrible accident is my wife, who ultimately, is the only innocent party involved.

I can no longer work on my construction and maintenance job as she now needs around the clock care. The lack of income as a result, inhibits us from being able to afford a day nurse and/or adult sitter to stay with my wife. At the end of this long and unexpected journey, stands Debbie - a strong Christian woman who is a beacon of light to the Christian community, and one of God's miracles. She never ceases to amaze me, after everything that has happened to her, she is still praising God! I love my wife with all my heart. She is my rockand my strength. I have no complaints because I know this is our God given path that he has set before us but I don't think justice was served. We're now asking for help from the public to get our story out. Our hopes are that the laws in West Virginia can be changed to protect the innocent pedestrians so this tragedy doesn't happen again and God forbid, end in death. Please help us by signing the petition because we all have loved ones at risk. May God bless you and keep you safe. If you need to contact me call 304-342-7962 or e-mail wvmusicman7@aol.com.