Meinrad
Gyssler
May 1, 1938 - September 13, 1994
On
September 13, 1993, my father, Meinrad Gyssler,
was killed by a drunk driver. He was only
56 years old. My dad had just retired one
year earlier and decided to fulfill a dream
he had wanted for quite sometime. He had been
diagnosed with kidney failure about 14 months
before his death. Going through the motions
with him, dialysis, feeling sick, blood pressure,
etc. . . . we were happy to see him accept
his illness and try to live life as much as
he could. Now that he was on a list for a
kidney transplant, this was the time to act
on his dream. He bought a motorcycle and loved
every moment he had riding it.
At
1:35 a.m. my dad was killed on what he loved
most, his motorcycle. A conversion van going
about 55 mph crossed the centerline and struck
my dad head on. My dad dies instantly for
which I am grateful. The impact was so severe;
I shudder at the thought of him surviving
the crash. He was spared any pain.
My
father was a loving, very kind, funny, happy
person. Over 250 of his friends and family
came to pay their respects. He was loved by
many. I miss my dad immensely. He died in
the middle of the road among strangers. This
in itself is painful and it sickens me.
This
thoughtless act has put so much pain in my
life as well as my family. My father did not
survive, he did not suffer. I NEED to survive
and I am suffering.
AAIM
has opened a door and opened their arms to
help me survive; to work on healing and forgiving.
I met Pat Larson through a miracle and divine
intervention. In February of 1997, I did my
first Victim Impact Panel and I was able to
do it with Mike Kenny as a human being and
not just a villain.
Today
I continue to do panels, to save a life, to
heal and forgive. It comes in baby steps,
but what a feeling and what a wonderful message
my children receive! Thank you AAIM and thank
you Pat Larson. May we have many years of
helping to heal and save many lives together.
Thank you Dad for life, memories, and your
warn smile. I love you and will keep fighting
for you and thousands of other to help make
our roads a safer place.
Andrea
Tuegel
