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 One Woman's Journey After Vehicular Homicide


Imagine going to sleep, waking up and finding out you killed somebody. 
That's exactly what happened to me. 
Two years ago, I was drunk and fell asleep at the wheel. I'm not trying to make excuses.
But I never ever would have done such a thing on purpose. And if there were 
some way I could go back and change it, I would. 
In fact, I've been sober ever since.
Now I'm paying for my crime by being incarcerated two weeks a year for the 
next 10 years.
This blog follows my journey afterward, trying to put my life back together in 
between spending a week in jail at Christmas and at Father's Day each year.

...

Jan. 21

It's been more than two years since I've been gainfully employed as a reporter for The News Examiner in Gallatin, Tenn. The publication, a sister paper of The Tennessean, is owned by Gannett. I miss my job. I miss interacting with my sources, doing interviews, taking photos, writing the articles, all of it.
When the accident happened on October 22, 2009, ending my victim's life, most of my life went away too. I was suspended without pay, pending the outcome of the police investigation into the charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatality.
I lost my home, my job, my kids, everything I ever knew, overnight. I know my victim's family has suffered, and believe me I am not making light of that. I wish everyday that I could jump in a time machine and go back and make all this go away, of course for myself, but mostly for them.
My career is something I have really grieved over. I was an award-winning writer, an up-and-coming journalist with a lot going for me. I hope someday I can work as a writer again full-time. I am good at it, and it makes me feel good to put a nice article together.
In some ways, this blog is saving my life because it's giving me a creative outlet again. I have also written most of the chapters of a book about my experience. I am hoping to publish it this year.
Last week, I began submitting lots and lots of applications online. I am hopeful, but somewhat afraid that my criminal background is going to hold me back from working in a job that I will really enjoy.
I'm plunging forward anyway. You can't let fear of the unknown hold you back. You have to try, even though you might fail. You have to keep on trying. I know if I keep on trying somebody will give me a chance.
One reason it has been two years since I have had a job is that most places won't hire you if you have pending charges. It took almost two years for my case to be adjudicated in the courts.
Another reason is that I filed for disability. I was denied twice and I appealed it a third time, an appeal that is supposed to be heard by a judge. I just found out it will be two more years before the case is heard by a judge.
I decided I don' t want to wait that long to be earning money again. I have a list of felony-friendly employers I can use to try to get a job. Mostly so far, I have been applying to office jobs and other jobs related to my experience.
Next week, I am meeting with a career counselor to talk about my job search and various other things involved in trying to get a job. I am excited. I'm going to stay positive and lean on God. I know he has big plans for me.I just have to do the footwork and let him do the rest.