6 Years of Healing

6 years of healing.  6 years ago my life changed.  6 years ago I was in a horrific car crash.

Today is my Crashiversary.

Today 6 is my number.

• 6 is the number of years that I have fought fatigue. Some days minor but others so bad I have had to stay in bed.
• 6 is the number of years I have heard “yes I have pain too”.
• 6 is the number of years I have attended medical appointments.
• 6 is the number of lanes on a highway that I can no longer drive.
• 6 is the number of years I have woken up in pain and battled with not sleeping even though I have never been so tired in my life.
• 6 is the number of close friends that disappeared.
• 6 is the number of years I have been a survivor.
• 6 is the number of people that I least expected to pick me up when I needed it the most.
• 6 is the number of years I have lived with an invisible disability.
• 6 is the number of years I have felt overwhelmed.
• 6 minutes is the maximum time I can sit in one position without my muscles cramping up.
• 6 is the number of years that I have seen the look on people’s faces when they notice me stumble or watch me take extra-long to retrieve a word.
• 6 is the amount of outdoor activities I can no longer do.
• 6 dollars is the approximate amount I spend a day on medication.
• 6 is the number of years I have had anxiety especially when getting into a car.
• 6 is the number of years I have had chronic pain.
• 6 is the number of years I have dealt with legal issues.
• 6 is the amount of household chores I can no longer do.
• 6 is the number of years that I have cried or fought back the tears because this is my new normal.

Today I won’t be celebrating with a cake or balloons.  6 years of healing is worth celebrating and today I will celebrate by taking a “moment” to reflect on how far I have come.  Today I have another day of healing. Today I am grateful that I was alone in my car. Today I am thankful no one was killed. Today I thank the off-duty firefighter who held my hand waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Today I thank the EMS that transported me to the local hospital. Today I thank the nurse that sat beside me as I was transported to a trauma hospital.

Feeling Thankful

Today I thank all of the staff at the trauma hospital. Today I am thankful to be alive and to be able to walk. Today I thank the numerous medical professionals that continue to help me with my recovery. Today I thank my personal injury lawyer as I was fortunate enough to find a highly experienced and empathetic one. Today I also thank his law clerk who continues to be a compassionate and exceptional human being. Today I thank the members of our Online Support Group for sharing their journeys with me and allowing me to share mine.

After 6 years of healing, today I will not dwell on what I have lost but rather focus on what I have gained. Today I feel less alone as I have another chance to support crash survivors during their recovery that are struggling who also feel alone. Today I am a survivor’s advocate and that has given my pain purpose. Today I realize who is important in my life and grateful for those who didn’t disappear. Today I celebrate new friendships. Today I smile at a man that has continued to be supportive, understanding, patient and never left my side. Today I feel optimistic as I am faced with a new day with a renewed sense of self…. just the way I am.

S. Dawne McKay is a survivor of a horrific crash that changed her life forever.  Dawne shares her personal journey as a Crash Survivor Blogger and also collaborates with crash survivors as Guest Bloggers allowing them an opportunity to share their stories.  Dawne is also the author of the book, “Talk Crash to Me – What to Expect After Surviving a Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery” which is available for purchase on Amazon.

The Crash Support Network is a unique one-of-a-kind website consisting of an online support group, a crash survivor blog, a quarterly newsletter, “Sharing Our Recovery” as well as highly informative articles. Our website is based on relationship-building and puts the needs of survivors first by creating a helpful resource for victims and survivors of motor vehicle crashes.