A month after the scandal broke, I tried to go back to work at the pharmaceutical company after a leave of absence. But because of all the publicity and resulting pressure and stress, I finally resigned.
After graduating in the summer of 1980, I knew I wanted my life to count.
Although I'd first seen Senator Hart in Aspen, Colorado, at a New Year's Day party in 1987, we hadn't talked.
At an awkward time in junior high, when I got braces, my mom encouraged me to take a modeling class so I'd learn to walk properly and wear makeup.
At thirteen I began modeling, doing my first television commercial in ninth grade for Pizza Hut.
Because pornography is a tool of Satan that exploits and distorts our God-given sexuality, women - especially Christian women - need to understand the increasing threat of online pornography.
Before the boat docked, however, he confessed because he was contemplating running for president, he couldn't separate from his wife. I believed him when he told me he faced a difficult choice between pursuing personal happiness and his political destiny.
Before the group left, Gary asked for my phone number, and the next day he called to ask me to dinner that night. I had no idea he was married, but I found out that night.
Being addicted to pornography takes many forms and varies from person to person.
But during that same year, the two Christian guys I'd dated since high school youth group graduated from college and drifted out of my life.
But even after the first week, when Hart got out of the presidential race because of the Washington Post's threat to reveal a long-term relationship Hart had apparently been having with a prominent Washington woman, the media continued to embellish my past.
By senior year, I was elected outstanding senior for my academic performance, as well as being head cheerleader.
Eventually, I, like many of my Christian friends who had backslidden from their faith early in college, stopped attending church and reading my Bible.
For a long time I refused to talk to the media, hoping the story would die down.
I also had to work through the violation of my date rape, my unhealthy relationships with men, my anger toward the people involved in the scandal, and those who exploited me afterwards.
I began to compromise my Christian values - partying and dating guys who weren't Christians.
I couldn't go to South Carolina because the media had staked out my parents' house, so they encouraged me through long-distance phone calls.
I had gained so much confidence through my college achievements that I wanted to tackle the world.
I stared at the television in shock, watching as my private life was revealed to the world.
I was always an overachiever.
I'd gone through a lot of guys in the past year, trying to get over my old boyfriend, but Gary was the one who swept me off my feet.
I'm stronger knowing that while Donna Rice could be sold, she could not be bought.
I've had to recover not only from a single well-publicized incident, but several years of press aftermath.
If pornographers can hook adolescents when their hormones are raging, they know they'll have an ongoing consumer base for life.
In high school I tried hard to prove myself by getting straight As, going to church, and working in clothing stores.
In my case, I learned that although God loves us, he doesn't grant us immunity from the consequences of our choices.
It was hard to turn down the money since I didn't have a job, but I didn't want to exploit my notoriety because I knew the way I'd been living was wrong.
My family didn't like my being in New York without a steady job and encouraged me to come home, but that was the last thing I wanted to do.
Over the next few years, as I worked through my depression and the shock related to the scandal, I still struggled with relationships.
Pornography changes the attitudes and lifestyles of those who consume it, no matter how old a person is.
Returning to South Carolina meant getting a normal job in a normal town with normal people and marrying a normal person. I wanted the glamour and opportunity of the world.
Sexual addiction usually begins by involving someone who's consenting; ultimately, it can lead to action against a nonconsenting person, resulting in rape or molestation.
Shortly thereafter, some friends encouraged me to try out for the Miss South Carolina World beauty pageant. To my surprise, I won - and was sent to New York City to compete nationally.
Since it was too difficult to get into the Screen Actor's Guild in New York, I moved to Miami in 1982 and started a successful career as a television commercial actress, obtaining my SAG card there.
So on May 1, 1987, at Gary's invitation, I agreed to see him one last time - to confront him face-to-face about his sincerity and with the intention of ending our brief relationship.
While at the University of South Carolina, I continued as an honors student and was elected into Phi Beta Kappa my junior year.
You can share a link to this page with your friend!