A Charlottesville woman is sharing her story of loss in the hope that she can teach a sobering lesson to college freshman. Pam Stucky says it's not enough just to talk about the potential consequences of drinking, but it takes giving students a real experience to think about.
On Sunday, Phillip and Pam Stucky flipped through pages filled with memories of a man who even in death continues to be a big part of their lives. Dean Stucky was killed by a drunk driver in 1990. He and Pam had only been married for three and a half years, and their son Phillip was just 6 weeks old.
"That's not something I want people to have to do. To have to learn about their father secondhand," said Philip Stucky.
"And all the dreams that you had are just gone and you have to pick up with a new life and that's hard," added Pam.
The two are using their loss not only to inspire others, but to teach a valuable lesson. Pam and Philip have been on a mission, reaching out to college freshman about the consequences that can come with drinking.
"It really is hard to see because everybody has their pet cause, but no one stops to understand how important this is," said Philip.
Pam started a program called "The Gift," for college freshmen. It chronicles Dean Stuckey's life and stands as a reminder on how choices can impact those around us.
Pam explained, "They come in as fresh, pliable, and teachable, they're forming habits. And that's who I want to center my program to, so they can have an event to look back at."
She met with Governor Bob McDonnell at the signing of the driving under the influence ignition interlocks bill. Her dream is to have "The Gift" implemented as a freshman orientation requirement in Virginia colleges and universities.
She will be speaking to University of Virginia football players later this month, encouraging them to live above peer pressure. Governor Bob McDonnell took a copy of the program, and is reviewing it.
Click here to learn more about "The Gift" program.
