A Victim’s Story: By Teen Influencer Mahi

When I was 11, my entire world changed in an instant. My dad was hit by an intoxicated driver in 2020, and the crash caused a traumatic brain injury so severe that he lost the ability to walk, talk, eat, or move on his own. Overnight, my father, who had been our family’s strength full of life, laughter, and warmth, was fighting for survival. In those first days, we didn’t know if we would ever hear his voice again or share another moment together.

I remember walking through those hospital doors for the first time to see my dad being discharged in 2021. My mind was full of questions even after a year. I never thought that I would enter a rehabilitation center to see one of the most vital parts of my life in critical condition. Inside, I found something unexpected: people who refused to see my dad only as a patient with a devastating injury. They saw him as a father, a husband, a man with a story still unfolding.

In those early weeks, every small improvement felt like a miracle. A flicker of movement in his fingers. A blink of recognition. A faint smile when we played his favorite Bollywood song. Those moments were reminders that he was still here with us and worth every ounce of fight we had left. TIRR became more than a hospital. It became a second home, a lifeline, and a place where hope always prospered.

Now, four years later, my dad is continuing to move forward in his journey. He has begun using LiteGait to take supported steps. He’s learning to communicate through an assistive device, facial expressions, and hand signals we’ve developed as a family. We’ve created our own language long blinks for “yes,” a squeeze of the hand for “I love you.” Sometimes, no words are needed at all.

This journey has shaped me into more than a daughter. I’ve become a caregiver, an advocate, and a fighter not just for my dad, but for anyone who feels unseen in their struggle. My older brother and I share the role of being our dad’s voice, making sure his needs and dignity are always honored. We’ve learned that leadership doesn’t have to be loud. It can be steady, quiet, and deeply present.

That’s why I volunteer at MADD today.

It hurts to see how high drunk driving fatalities are in the U.S. because the problem puts everyone who drives on the road at risk for injury or death. In my case, the crash has impacted my family’s entire life as we are dedicated towards taking care of my father. I have come to realize that more than one person is impacted by a drunk driving incident, which is why people must speak up. From my story, I hope that more teens spread awareness about the dangers of consuming alcohol and drugs and driving on the road while intoxicated.