And then it hit me, my life as I knew it was turned upside down in a blink of an eye. November 3, 2015 started out just like any other day in my life. I worked as an Accounting Associate full-time and at the time I was studying for my Charted Professional Accountant designation. Balancing my work and schooling was very hectic. I would often end the day exhausted. After staying late at work one night, I headed home. Only this drive home didn’t end the same. I was hit head on by a vehicle while simultaneously being rear ended at the same time. I have no recollection of the accident from that night. The last thing I remember was turning right onto the road, and then waking up from a medically induced coma two weeks later.
It Was a Miracle That I Survived
I remember waking up and freaking out because I was hooked up to ventilators and tubes. I was later told that the kids who hit me were racing another vehicle at 150km/hr in an 80km/hr zone. They said it was a miracle I survived as I had flat lined a few times. They had only given me a 5-10 % chance of survival. It took the firefighters an 1.5hrs to get me out of the vehicle with the jaws of life.
Afterwards I was airlifted to the hospital. I underwent four major surgeries varying from 8-15 hours each. The surgeon later told me I was humpty dumpty and he had to literally put me back together again. I suffered from 26 injuries some of which include a deflated lung, ruptured diaphragm, broken right tibia and fibula, broken left femur, broken arm and a traumatic brain injury. I have a rod permanently in my right tibia and my left femur. The doctors never thought I’d be able to walk again especially without a walking aid. When they told me this, I knew that this was not an option for me. I was determined to prove them wrong. I spent a month at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto, from there I was sent to Toronto Rehabilitation for three months and then finally went home. I was non-weight bearing on three limbs and had to relearn everything from rolling over, to sitting up, to eventually being able to take a few steps with the help of the Physiotherapist and walking aids.
Some Days are Harder Than Others
Today I still suffer from chronic pain, a bad limp that worsens by the amount of activity I do. Some days are harder than others both emotionally and physically. I have had so many medical professionals work with me over the years, some of which I didn’t even know was a job before my accident. I have gone from using a wheelchair to a walker to cane and crutches. Not only did they tell me I wouldn’t walk again, but also that school was not a good idea as I’d “likely fail”, and that I would not be able to have a baby. Against all the odds, I proved them wrong. I have since returned and graduated from school as an OTA/PTA. Most recently I had a baby boy.
My recovery has been the hardest challenge of my life. I have been through hell and back, and have shed many tears along the way. I wanted to know “why” this happened to me. I thought I had my life all figured out and was doing what we are supposed to do. Through all this I have learned my “why”, I was given this second chance at life to help people, giveback and for me to finally be happy! I am still learning to accept my new “norm” and that I have a disability. I like to call it “Lindsay 2.0”.
I hit rock bottom after my accident, I felt like everyone in my life was moving forward where mine was at a great pause and it wasn’t even because of my own doing. I want to share my story to help show the power of resilience, determination and what a lot of blood sweat and tears can do for you! I am still on my road to recovery, constantly reflecting on how far I’ve come over the past five years: it has really made me realize how true the saying is, “you don’t know what you’ve got until its gone” and I’ve learned not to take things for granted because you never know what’s going to hit you next!
Submitted by Lindsay Sproat
This article is also featured in our 2020 Spring Issue of Sharing our Recovery
The Crash Support Network is a truly unique platform that brings together survivor-focused support and road safety education in one accessible space. Created for individuals and families affected by motor vehicle collisions, it offers online support groups, a crash survivor blog, a quarterly newsletter “ Sharing Our Recovery,” and a growing library of informative articles. Built on a foundation of connection and compassion while amplifying the importance of road safety, the Crash Support Network goes beyond a website; it’s a community united around support, education and making our roads safer for everyone.
