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Faded memories, new success

Four years after a life-altering car crash, he finishes vocational school.

By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
Published January 20, 2008

JAN. 16: Dustin Kwilecki, 21, waves to his mother and his teacher while waiting to graduate from vocational school.
	[Edmund D. Fountain | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Dirk Shadd | Times] MARCH 24, 2005: Debbie, Dustin and Danielle Kwilecki spend time in their living room. [Atoyia Deans | Times] Dustin now works for Johnson-Lancaster and Associates, Inc., where he reviews architectural plans for accuracy.

Four years ago, Dustin Kwilecki was thrown from his friend's speeding sports car and smashed his head on Keene Road.

He spent weeks in a coma, and months more in the hospital and therapy. He had to relearn everything: how to eat, walk and talk. How to control his temper.

And he lost many memories: the secrets he once shared with his twin sister. His 16th birthday party. Even what's in his mom's goulash.

But last week, Kwilecki, 21, graduated from vocational school - no small feat for a student who sometimes struggles to read or remember a lesson from one day to the next.

Taking the stage, he shared his story.

"I was involved in an auto accident, which left me with TBI, traumatic brain injury," Kwilecki said, methodically reading from a typed speech.

"I have always had a goal of being an architect," he told about 125 people at the Pinellas Technical Education Centers ceremony.

He studied architectural drafting at PTEC, he said, and now he's employed, doing drafting work for a food service equipment contractor.

The audience clapped. Kwilecki peeked up and flashed a smile.

He thanked his family and the PTEC staff, especially the man who "had the most patience," drafting teacher Richard Pearson.

Before the ceremony, Kwilecki's mom had thanked Pearson for taking extra time with her son.

"That's what I get paid for," Pearson said. "I'm just really proud of Dustin and what he's done."

Pearson, who has taught many students with disabilities in 18 years at PTEC, said Kwilecki was one of his most dedicated pupils.

When Kwilecki got frustrated, Pearson would pull him aside and say "Look what you've accomplished up until now."

And if Kwilecki forgot a lesson from the day before, Pearson would tell him, "Let's do again today."

***

Kwilecki's life has changed dramatically since the accident in February 2004.

Kwilecki was riding home from Clearwater Beach with his buddy William Botelho Jr. when Botelho started racing a motorcyclist. Driving his Pontiac Firebird nearly 90 mph in a 45 mph zone, Botelho lost control and crashed into a tree.

Kwilecki, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, spent 24 days in a coma, remained at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg for nearly three months and spent seven months in outpatient therapy.

In May 2005, the day after Kwilecki graduated from Pinellas Park High School, Botelho pleaded guilty to reckless driving causing serious bodily injury.

He was sentenced to two years of house arrest and three years of probation. Botelho, 22, twice violated probation and is now incarcerated at Lake City Correctional Facility, scheduled for release in February 2009.

Kwilecki is not angry, but he doesn't feel sorry for Botelho, either.

"I think he needs to understand what he did to me," he said. "I hope when Billy comes out of prison he does the right things again."

***

The accident has put a lot of strain on Kwilecki and his family.

Before, Kwilecki rarely lost his temper. But, when he first returned to his Pinellas Park home from the hospital, he had angry outbursts. He sometimes cursed or punched holes in walls.

His moods have since mellowed, his mother said.

Now his biggest hurdles are short- and long-term memory problems.

Sometimes, bits of his past flood back. But he remembers little about his bond with his twin sister, Danielle, who now attends the University of Central Florida.

"We used to hang out and talk to each other all time," Kwilecki said. "I wish I remembered some of that."

A while after he enrolled in PTEC, Kwilecki started driving again.

Now he works two part-time jobs. He's a bagger at Publix. And about a month ago, he started at Johnson-Lancaster & Associates in Safety Harbor. There, he prints out plans, makes copies and uses drafting software to revise architectural drawings.

Daily, he relies on his mom. She helps him if he gets lost driving or forgets someone's name or what type of hair spray he uses.

Kwilecki also takes tons of notes to keep track of his schedule and work he's completed.

The drafting job is a long way from being an architect.The accident shattered his friendship, his memories and maybe some of his dreams.

But he's learned to appreciate life more, he said. Some day, he wants to visit schools and share his story to motivate others.

"My life is way better than it was in the past," he said. "I'm more dedicated to what I want and what I need."

[Last modified January 19, 2008, 20:57:14]