Drink driving affects so many people in so many ways. Some are lucky to escape with no injuries, just points on their licence and a ban. Some pay the ultimate price of their life. Some kill or injure others. Some, like Helen, end up still here in body but not in mind and being left with brain damage.
I don't know which is the worst outcome. In many ways death would have been easier to deal with. Grieving after death is for the person who has gone but Helen is still here and the grieving goes on every day, every time we see her. With her still present in body we can feel her, touch her, cuddle her but cannot have a conversation with her. If she was dead that wouldn't be possible. Death is finite. It is the end. But in some ways it would be easier to deal with.