Accident victim - I'd give back $35 million prize

[hymiehymie]

SORRY I HAVE NOT APPROVED COMMENTS IN A LONG WHILE - I DID NOT SEE THEM NOW THAT THEY ARE ON "GMAIL".

[Earthlinked]

Let this be a lesson - if you win a lot of money - DO NOT BUY A CAMARO - they are death traps. If she was sitting a Blazer or a Surbuban - there would be no video here - and she would not be in that chair!!!!!!!!!

[Pat2296]

I bet she'd give all the money back to even just be able to use her arms again. A life totally ruined because some POS wanted to get drunk and drive. Of course HE wasn't hurt, I bet. Disgusting. 

[odinmp5]

this is so sad...!! i just want science to catch up so she can recover,

[hutchy411]

damn 35 million. thats ridiclous to win and then lose it all really.

She's got fucking guts to talk to a camera- fucking hardcore, respect

[patsyfann]

The 58 year old man that hit Cynthia had 17 , yes 17 priors!!! He had been slipping through the cracks for years...with wrist slaps!! I was involved in the case, and this young woman and her family are absolutely amazing. The judge handed down the sentence with tears. The whole story is about Cynthia's survival and courage. She is not bitter, she is sharing her story to help others.

[hymiehymie]

@patsyfann Interesting that Cynthia didn't mention the 17 priors. She has a lot of class all the way around.

[wordey123]

35 million cant buy her body back but it can go far with medical research... That'll be more worth then again.

[andicatz]

It is so hard to lose someone you love and money cannot compensate for this loss. I only hope that there is a breakthrough in science so that you and others inc. my brother can regain a greater freedom. He is ventillator dependent and used to love to dance but after 20 months can not sit up fully yet. He is looking forward to seeing the outside as he will in time. The nurses and staff are really wonderful here. Thank God for our national health service.

[hymiehymie]

National health service? I was going to ask what country you're in, but I checked - UK, that figures. Yes, thank God for your national health service. We'll never have one here (US). It's considered "socialist."

[thibaulthalpern]

Sorry to hear that, Cynthia. Stories like yours reminds me that I truly don't have it that bad and that I too can pull myself up.

[sphinxrising58]

Yup, no matter how bad any of us think we have it, there are others who would gladly trade places with us in a NYC heartbeat.

People like Cynthia remind of us of this, or should, but as bad as I feel for her, I am glad she was strong enough to push on.

[gauley2001]

I am so sick of society tolerating drunken driving. We need to stop slapping people on the wrist for this. Maybe if we make DUI a capitol punishment offense it will start to make a difference!!!

[Qdrum803]

Life in jail for a dui? i think thats a bit harsh

[trackman3030]

no, he did many things.

-over the legal limit

-hit and run

-probably speeding

and the fact a person is dead and one is almost a quadriplegic.

[hymiehymie]

Right on. And if his fate deters some potential drunk drivers like you (or me), well... People are probably in prison for life for less. (and he's not a young guy, doesn't have too many years left anyhow). Cynthia isn't getting any grins out of it, so it's not a vengeance thing - it's a justice thing and an educational thing. Sad all the way around, as she says. These fkng drunk drivers never learn, anyhow - at least not here in New Mexico.

[tsevarino]

R u serious dude. He killed someone and wruined someone's life. Life in jail for murder bro!

[korisx]

Very inspiring story. Thank you for having the courage to speak on Camera about your ordeal. It must be painful having to speak of it and all you were doing was waiting at the lights. That guy's one night of drinking and driving cost your sister's life, his life, as he is sentanced in prison and yours as you are now confined to that chair, how awful.

Thank you for sharing your story.

[pantyflash]

Like, you're absolutely beautiful, and have a high-energy spirit. Although money can't buy happiness, hopefully it will buy some peace of mind. You go, girl!