I became committed to the Prime for Life DUI/Risk Reduction program during instructor training in July of 1999. However, I didn’t really understand the impact that the program could have on any one individual until several months later. I was teaching a class out in Paulding County, GA when my eyes were really opened to the power of the program.

A gentleman in his mid 60’s attended class, he explained that he could not read or write, not even his own name (signed in with an X) and was concerned about being able to pass the class. I assured him that would not prevent him from learning the information or passing the class, and I would be more than happy to help him along the way. He was short, stocky, with bleached blonde hair, and on the weekend both Saturday and Sunday wore jeans and a short sleeved button down shirt. Monday evening he came in wearing jeans and a muscle shirt, I noticed a tattoo on his right arm. It was an eagle with a furled American flag; it was very vivid and looked like it was done with metallic inks. Tuesday evening again he came in wearing a muscle shirt, again I was impressed with the tattoo.

When class ended Tuesday, I said that I needed to tell him that was the best looking tattoo I had ever seen. I then asked him if they were using different inks as the tattoo looked metallic to me. He said no, that it was so shiny because he had Vaseline on it as he had the tattoo done on Monday morning.

A young woman behind him said “you need to tell her why you had it done”. He said that when he was about 22 years old he had a tattoo in the same place saying “born loser” and that on Saturday morning in the class I had shown him he was not a loser. On Monday when the tattoo parlor opened he had it covered up.

Prime for Life, truly has had an impact on thousands of people around the world and I am proud of being able to convey its message to those that come to South Cherokee.