“Don’t Give Up” says a courageous crash survivor. A member of our online support group agreed to share a bit of her journey in hopes of helping someone else that is struggling and we were honoured to share it with you. On November 7th, 2017 I was t-boned on my drivers side (only me in the car) going home for lunch from college. I was 20 years old. I didn’t realize how intense my injuries or the accident was at the time and my family wasn’t very supportive either. I was living on student loans and babysitting/part-time money and I was suddenly without a car, job or my physical and emotional health. My parents emotionally and financially abandoned me (they couldn’t really mentally handle what was going on, and decided it would be easier to be in denial than deal with reality).
I had a pretty severe brain injury, a torn shoulder and back injuries/pain from my accident. My brain injury was so bad it permanently changed my eyesight. My brain injury got worse as I menstruated the first time after my accident, and I began passing out frequently and having autonomous nervous system problems. It was scary, and I was losing money so fast and making nothing. It was terrifying. I couldn’t even afford the treatments that doctors were trying to get me to do. I only say this to highlight how different my life is now. Don’t give up!
I Slowly Gained Enough Money To Live
I spent about 10 months/a year recovering before I was able to take a part time job as a cashier at Chick fil A. It was very physically and mentally demanding but it helped me cope with a lot of the social isolation and depression I’d been facing. I still didn’t have a car or health insurance at this point. I’d get rides from friends, ride my bike or walk to work in the winter, in the rain and snow. I worked there for a year, slowly gaining enough money to live and not worry about paying for medicine or feeding myself. I decided I was going to learn something new, as I couldn’t afford to go back to school and I didn’t want to work at CFA forever. Again, I heard that little voice. “Don’t give up!”
After work every day, I researched and practiced how to code and make websites, something I’d never done before. I just knew I needed a job that paid a living wage and had health benefits and such. I sent out applications, did interviews and failed them. I basically got laughed at because I was self taught. I decided to freelance instead for the time being. I got a couple of clients and then a few more. I learned more technology with every project and how to talk to people. I was able to quit working at chick fil a.
I Felt Like I Re-Claimed A Part of My Life
An amazing, incredible family of a high school friend blessed me with their oldest car, payment free. Once I got over my fear of driving, I felt really free. You don’t realize how isolating it is only going to work and home with no car for a year until you do it. I felt like I had reclaimed a part of my life that was taken from me. I started babysitting again for extra money to pay for food and other things. I still struggled a lot, but rent was paid and I wasn’t going hungry so it felt like an amazing accomplishment. I sent out more applications for a full time job, got denied and rejected more but I kept telling myself, “don’t give up!”
I revised my resume 4 or 5 times within 7-8 months, and finally found a great fit with a company using the skills I’ve learned on my own. I had to tell them and explain the accident, why I didn’t finish college, etc. and it was scary. The person who hired me said that my resume was not typical of what they usually see for that position, but that they admired what I had taught myself and overcome in the last few years. I will be making more money than I have in my entire life, I finally am not scared when I have to buy my cat food or fill up my gas tank. I’m sure everyone here can relate on the financial stress aspect of recovering from an accident. I am now over 2 years post accident.
Don’t give up on yourself or what you think you can do. I just wanted to share with those of you who have just experienced your life changing accident, or those who are still recovering. The time goes by equally fast and slow, so just take it day by day and don’t count yourself out. I love you all and I wish you all the best.
Emily has become a self-taught freelance web designer and developer. Emily is also a member of our Crash Support Network Group and we thank her for sharing her inspirational story with us. We wish her nothing but continued strength and success in the future.
Are you interested in sharing your story? We want to hear from you! Send us an email at: info@crashsupportnetwork.com and it may be published on our website or in our quarterly newsletter.
The Crash Support Network is a unique website consisting of an online support group, a Crash Survivor Blog written by a survivor, our Sharing Our Recovery Newsletter, informative articles and a Virtual Crash Memorial. 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.
