Joel Mains is no stranger to adversity in his own life; and has found himself in the unenviable spotlight as a public speaker against impaired driving. The Wonder Lake resident addresses thousands of students and DUI offenders each year drawing upon his own experience; not as a veteran Downers Grove firefighter paramedic, but as a stepfather and husband.

Mains’ message, which is painfully clear, is that it only takes a split second to cause complete devastation. In 2003 Mains’ step-daughter, 17-year old Caitlin Weese was just weeks away from her high school graduation when the car she was driving was struck by a repeat DUI offender. Caitlin died shortly thereafter as the result of her injuries.

In 2006 Caitlin’s mother Diane Mains died at the age of 48, from complications resulting from heart surgery. Mains believes that Diane succumbed to a broken heart after the death of her daughter.

Not long after his wife’s death, Mains began representing the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) at high school programs, usually held prior to prom when kids may be more likely to drink and drive.

“What I want them to take away, is the idea that next time they’re in a situation of being somewhere and having had something to drink, that they not get behind the wheel,” he said. “I tell them not to put another family, including their own, through what my family has been through.”

Mains shows images of Caitlin on PowerPoint during his presentations. “It makes a huge difference, especially with the kids. Here’s this beautiful young girl that could be one of their friends, could very well be someone they hang out with. I think it makes it easier for them to relate to what I have to say,” Mains said.

Mains also speaks for AAIM at Impact Panels which are court-ordered programs for DUI offenders.

“You always hear the cliché that if it changes one person’s mind then it’s worth it. That’s not true," he said. "I’m not speaking to change one person; I’m speaking to change everybody’s mind. It’s unacceptable to get behind the wheel of a car after you’ve been drinking. I know that’s not reality. In a perfect world we wouldn’t have to deal with any of this, but that’s what I want. I want an entire room to get up and think, ‘man, I need to change my behavior and not do that anymore’.”

Mains acknowledged that, while he feels compelled to share his story and draw attention to the dangers of DUI, it’s never easy. “On the one hand it’s cathartic but on the other hand it takes a toll every time I do it,” he said.

Mains runs the Annual Walk 5K for Caitlin which was founded prior to his wife’s death. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, June 18 at St. Thomas More School in Elgin, and will include raffles and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Caitlin E. Weese Memorial Scholarship which is awarded annually to a Larkin High School graduating senior. Additionally, half of the money raised will benefit the Victims’ Assistance Fund of AAIM, which provides financial assistance to DUI victims and their families.

For further information, visit www.walk5kforcaitlin.com, myspace.com/caitlinweese, and www.causes.com/walk5kforcaitlin