ThinkFirst video for teens includes survivors' stories

FALLBROOK — On Wednesday, February 9, members of the Fallbrook Healthcare District board and local school administrators viewed a screening of the new teen video produced by ThinkFirst.

The video chronicles the tragic stories of four young individuals and provides personal testimony from them. The stories include those of individual survivors left permanently disabled due to life-changing spinal cord injuries and more. These survivors hope to provide insight on the importance of responsible decision-making to students in San Diego and Riverside counties.

The video is slated to be shown in school health classes, driver’s education classes and at school assemblies countywide. In April, it will be debuted at the ThinkFirst National Convention in Chicago.

With funding made possible by the Fallbrook Healthcare District, the video allows students a glimpse into the lives of survivors of tragic events. The running time of the film is approximately 20 minutes and the four individuals whose stories are told in the film were present for the February 9 screening.

Under the leadership of Program Director Jennifer Seitel and Injury Prevention Specialist John Buchanan, in the 2006-2007 school year the ThinkFirst message was received by more that 13,000 students. That number is expected to more than double this school year.

Statistics show that unintentional injury is the leading cause of death and disability in the under-24 age group. Leading causes are car crashes, violence and sports and recreation, with ages 14 to 24 at the highest risk.