Tragedy happens in life. People experience teenage pregnancy, getting caught in illegal acts by the police, and motor vehicle accidents. However, you never really think it is going to happen to you. I know that’s how I felt. Until two weeks ago when my life flashed before my eyes.
Saturday began as a typical day. I woke up went to work. The only thing different was that I had plans to go to my hometown for the first weekend since I had returned to Missouri from Oregon.
I got off work, packed up my bag, filled up my tank and hit the highway. I was expecting a normal weekend—visiting family and friends and taking a break from my typical hectic lifestyle. Those thoughts quickly faded when I swerved to miss a deer on the highway and experienced a motor vehicle accident.
Only 25 miles from my hometown, my car overcorrected and went accelerating into the median at 70 miles per hour. My car soared over an incline in the median and went flying several feet into the air before coming to a painful crash. I was able to control the vehicle and keep it from flipping and re-entering the highway.
When the car stopped a million thoughts were racing through my head. I quickly exited the car to see the damage that was done. My car was totaled but that became the least of my worries. When I got out of the car I felt the most extreme pain I have ever experienced in my back and had to sit.
A man pulled off the highway to help me and I was in so much pain I had to give him the phone to tell my mother. She quickly arrived and rushed me to the hospital. Bruised, anxious, and in pain I laid in the emergency room awaiting x-rays and cat scans.
After a lengthy amount of time and undergoing the testing the doctor informed me that I had fractured my back and would have to sent to a specialist that night for even further testing.
I was devastated. Until I began to process what happened. I was extremely lucky to have my life. There were about a million other scenarios that could have taken place during my accident.
From there I said a prayer and thanked the Lord for my life and prayed for the strength to overcome the road that lay in front of me.
I spent two days in the hospital, was put in a back brace, and was told not to return to school or week for two weeks. I was at a loss. In the blink of an eye my entire life changed. How was I going to manage all of this?
Once again the Lord answered my prayers. Seven years ago he brought me together with my best friend, roommate and now sister. Over the past year her family has became my family. They were with me nearly every minute I was in the hospital providing me with love, support and assurance. While my own family did call and see if there was anything they could do. My best friends family didn’t have to be asked to do anything—they just did. Her mom sat with me until after 5 AM until I fell asleep and was back by 9 AM. Having this support is such a blessing.
Once my friends, fraternity bothers, and co-workers started finding out the support began flooding in. People were more worried about me than I was. I can’t express how good that felt. I no longer wondered how I was going to overcome the situation.
My road to recovery is going to be long and difficult. However, there is no doubt in my mind that I won’t have people there to help me.
I’ve always been a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason. This accident has taught me to truly not take life for granted. Each time I get discouraged due to pain, not being able to uphold my normal routine, or something else related to my injury I remind myself of this. As I mentioned I am lucky to have my life. Replacing my car, getting back to school, paying the medical bills will work themselves out. I know that I would not be placed in a situation that I couldn’t handle and in due time I will be a stronger person because of this experience.