Ouachita Stories

Previously published in the 2018 Ouachitonian yearbook. 

Tires squealed, glass shattered and in an instant, Mason Archer’s life was changed forever.

Archer, a sophomore chemistry major from Arkadelphia, was in a car wreck on March 12, 2005. Archer and his family were on their way to Hot Springs to have dinner together when they were hit by a drunk driver. Archer was flown to the hospital, and doctors soon came to the conclusion that he was paralyzed from the waist down.

“It was mentally challenging to go through rehab and having people ask questions I couldn’t answer,” said Archer.

After three months of rehabilitation in the hospital, Archer was able to return home to Arkadelphia. To Archer, it was not his own strength that got him through the difficult process.

“God helped me through my mental attitude and outlook,” said Archer. “God is going to open doors that wouldn’t have opened if not for what had happened.”

Those doors were opened soon after what had happened, and people heard about his story. Archer and his family began to work with the organization MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, to bring awareness to the issue of drunk driving. They worked together to launch the “Think Change” project, which asked people to donate $2.33 in support of MADD. They asked for donations of exactly $2.33 because 233 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in Arkansas the previous year.

Their total, $17,000, was converted into pennies and used to create a mural in an effort to break a world record. While they came up short, Archer was still able to inspire people to do better for the future. He was also given the opportunity to represent MADD at the national conference.

“I’m still facing challenges, but Ouachita has been a huge blessing,” said Archer. “Never give up. If you are really determined, there is always going to be another way.”

By Brooke Woessner 

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