Hours after moving into his dorm room on August 28, 2004, Jason Gratzl, attended a party on Mifflin Street near the UW–Madison campus. The freshman from Burlington, Wis. drank heavily at the party, fell off a balcony and sustained a serious head injury. Alcohol played a role in the fall.

Gratzl survived, but has spent the past year in rehabilitation from his injuries, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. He hopes to one day come back to UW–Madison for his education.

His mother, Angie Gratzl has asked that parents consider reading her story so that others may not have to repeat her family’s experience.

“I would like to help at least one student see the possible consequences of their actions,” she writes. “In that endeavor, I wrote an article about Jason’s life-altering mistake and the consequences he now faces because of that mistake. I ask students to try to see that there could be serious consequences to their actions. It may go on many deaf ears, but if it could impact one freshman student entering the university, it served its purpose.”

Don’t Worry

by Angie Gratzl

“Don’t worry. Mom, I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself.”

Those were the last words Jason said to me as I was getting ready to leave my parking space on a dreary, rain-soaked August Saturday in Madison. For as long as I breathe, I will never forget that particular “snapshot” of time — Jason standing near the window of my van, telling me not to worry with a huge smile on his face and his eyes bright with excitement.

It was move-in day and Jason was starting a new chapter in his life as a student of the University of Wisconsin. For a split second, as I looked at his beaming face, the thought that this would be the last time I see my son with that wonderful smile crossed my mind.

I chided myself about getting overly emotional. This wasn’t my first child leaving for college; I’ve been through the routine before. Silently I told myself that I would be talking to him the next day and he would be home in two weeks to work a weekend at the cruise line. So with a few tears, a wave and a brave smile, I put my van into drive and left him at the entrance of his dorm.

The life-altering call came at midnight that same day. A female voice on the other end identified herself as a representative of UW Hospital in Madison. My stomach turned momentarily at the realization of whom I was speaking to. Softly she asked if I had a child attending the University. After responding that indeed I had two sons at UW–Madison, she asked that I name them. There was a slight pause after my response and she then asked that I drive back up to Madison because Jason sustained a serious head injury from a fall. No other information was given except that he was still breathing. From that moment on, our lives have been forever changed.

We have all heard and read about the underage drinking problem in our communities. Our newspapers are inundated with underage drinking articles. Kids are drinking in junior high and that incidence rises proportionately in high school and then again at the university level.

The words of advice given to parents to help combat this epidemic is to talk to your children, communicate with them, and let them know where you stand on the issue. I know I’ve had the “speech” with my children about the effects of drinking. I’ve spoken about it so often; they are able to repeat it verbatim. I assumed without a doubt that they knew how irresponsible drinking could permanently ruin not only their lives, but also the lives of those around them; they’ve witnessed it first-hand.

Did the “speech” work? Did first-hand knowledge of the effects involved regarding drinking help? Obviously, in hindsight, not to the extent I would have liked. Students, including my own children, have told me that the “speech” only works when children want to absorb what is presented to them. Until that revelation happens, the “speech” goes in one ear and out the other.

For any student reading this please absorb what your parents, your teachers, your community are trying to convey to you. Don’t take on the attitude that “nothing will happen to me,” or “bad things happen to other people, it will never happen in my life.” Make Jason’s mistake serve as a reminder to you that anything CAN happen on any given day. Jason had the world in the palm of his hand — I know he never imagined that something so horrific could happen to him that would jeopardize his dreams and aspirations. Unfortunately, Jason miscalculated and because of that mistake the life he hoped for and dreamed of faded.

“Don’t worry. Mom, I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself.”

How many times have you said that to your parents in your rush to leave to go out with a group of friends, that special date, the movies, work or even move-in day for college? How many times have parents heard that from their children? I can safely bet that everyone can relate to that particular statement; I know I’ve heard it countless times before that Saturday in August. It’s a simple sentence, a token statement that is quite often carelessly tossed out as you hurriedly leave out the door.

But the next time you say those words, understand exactly what you are promising and be responsible for that statement. Value and be grateful for the life and gifts you’ve been given, don’t take any of them for granted. The things you do today can have lasting effects for the rest of your life, as well as the lives of those closest to you. No one is invincible and things can happen on any given day or time. Tragedies don’t necessarily have to happen to the “other” person. Your life can be altered in a split second without warning. In some instances we control our destiny, in other instances we can’t. Know the difference and act accordingly.

“Don’t worry. Mom, I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself.”

I pray that miracles will continue to happen and that one day I will be blessed to once again see that wonderful smile of Jason’s and hear those words as he walks out the door and onto a new adventure. I pray that you will be able to say those words and know that your actions will confirm your understanding of it.