accident – Greek University

Fletcher Cleaves: What did the car accident teach you about overcoming adversity & being prosperous?

By admin on July 14, 2023

Fletcher Cleaves is a native of Memphis, TN who decided to turn his tragedy into a testimony. As an advocate and motivational presenter, he speaks out against the dangers of texting and driving as well as overcoming adversity. He aspires to share his journey in hopes it will save lives and inspire others to reach their goals, regardless of the challenges they may face.

In episode 366 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Fletcher initially chose to play football for Lambuth University, what happened when he was driving his car on September 10, 2009, whether he has forgiven the person who was driving distracted to force him off the road, what it was like to go back to school at the University of Memphis as a quadriplegic, what made him want to join Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., what is his advice to fraternity and sorority members about making good choices in life, why knowledge is power, what is his favorite adventure that he’s been on, what the car accident taught him about overcoming adversity and being prosperous in life, and Fletcher’s advice to other college athletes.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA0iPBSX8z8

Fraternity/Sorority

Molly Welch: How can college students stop distracted driving themselves?

By admin on May 18, 2023

Our next guest is Molly Welch. Thirteen years ago, she was in a head-on collision with a pick-up truck that caused a traumatic brain injury due to her distracted driving. Molly was in a coma for three weeks and had a 50-50 chance of living. Later, she was only minimally conscious for months. Next she had to re-learn everything from walking to talking. The doctors thought she’d be in an immobile state the rest of her life. In fact, one doctor told her parents that she may not wake up, but if she did, “the sky would be the limit.” It sure is.

On episode 360 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Molly chose Auburn University, what drew her into journalism and writing for the school newspaper, what happened that day when she looked down to hit record on her hand-held recorder while driving her car, what was her recovery like in terms of physical, occupational and speech therapy at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, what was the impact on completing her degree at Auburn, how the students listening can stop distracted driving themselves, what kind of reaction she gets from students and participants who hear this program on distracted driving, whether this program is good fit for corporate sponsorships as well, and what’s next for Molly’s career. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik7ECV2TQxU

Fraternity/Sorority

Cesar Perez: What do you want to tell college students about driving while intoxicated?

By admin on August 20, 2022

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/24118446/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]A professional actor with a promising career, Cesar Perez was on a meteoric rise until a drunk driver slammed into his car head-on. He coded on the paramedics more than once on the way to the hospital, and coded again when he arrived. It’s a miracle he even survived. Still, he wouldn’t have called it miraculous at the time. In one devastating blow, all his dreams had been ripped away. A severe brain injury had left him almost entirely incapacitated. His right arm was paralyzed. His femur had snapped in two. His face was shattered. He spent months learning how to breathe, eat, walk, and talk all over again. In the midst of it all, his girlfriend left him—the same girlfriend he had been on his way to see that fateful night. But life, ultimately, is a gift. Fragile, firm, and beautiful. Throughout the course of Cesar’s long, often tortuous recovery, “Chase the Light” shines with courage, grace, and the resilience of the human spirit—reminding us that every life has meaning and every soul has a purpose, always, even in our darkest moments.

In episode 291 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Cesar chose Georgia Southern University, what he was most worried about after the car accident, what he thinks of when he sees pictures of the accident or pictures of himself in the hospital, when it was the right time to share the story in a book, how his outlook on life has changes since the accident, how COVID-19 affected his recovery, how his injuries affect being active in his family life as he was before the accident, why it’s important to have a good support system when recovering from a car accident, what he wants to tell college students about drinking while driving, and what was it like meeting the first responders who saved him. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShBlsEMvxSg