This past summer I decided to take a break from blogging to re-charge and re-focus. But even though I wasn’t blogging, I was still determined to connect with courageous crash survivors and wonderful Organizations that support victims of motor vehicle crashes, and I’m thrilled to be back!
For those of you that do not know me, I am the face behind the Crash Support Network as well as it’s social channels. I created the Crash Support Network because I felt so terribly alone as I recovered from a motor vehicle crash caused by a distracted driver. I am a survivor of a life-changing incident that left me with multiple injuries as well as a traumatic brain injury but you would never know it by looking at me because some recoveries are life-long and invisible.
This is the look of someone who:
- Had a productive day.
- Had a shower.
- Did her hair.
- Cleaned the house.
- Went for a walk.
- Felt like it was a selfie day.
This is also the look of someone:
- That survived a horrific crash.
- Who is still attending medical appts.
- Who is still having sleepless nights.
- Who is still dealing with chronic pain.
- Who struggles with conversations.
- Who still has good & bad days.
Next month it will be nine years when I was driving into work and my life took an unexpected turn. It is never going to be perfect but I know that I am doing my best. Who I am today is a result of what I have gone through. I can’t help but think back to where I was and where I am today. I started my first job when I was just 14, went to college to become a Legal Secretary (while holding down three jobs at the same time) and over the years held many full-time jobs with different titles and always had a part-time job in hospitality at the same time. I was the girl that could do it all and never gave up. I was full of energy, high on life and a real “go getter”, and determined to succeed. At the time of my crash, I held a position with a healthcare organization in Community Relations – a job that I worked hard to achieve and I was good at it!
So Grateful for Opportunities to Spread Awareness
Over the summer, I was interviewed by Mi Ae who is an award winning traffic safety advocate at Driving in the Real World and her first question was “How did you get interested in creating Crash Support Network? After all, most kids don’t think, “When I grow up, I want to survive a crash and become a road safey advocate” and I instantly thought to myself, “what a fantastic question to ask!”
I will admit that, as a child, I never thought I would survive a horrific, life-changing motor vehicle crash and become an advocate for crash survivors. I encourage you to read the full article HERE as she asked me some fantastic questions. Most recently, I was also asked to be a guest on the “After the Crash” Podcast hosted by Attorney David Craig and I highly encourage you to have a listen at: A Crash Survivor’s Perspective. I am truly grateful for these wonderful opportunities that allow me to bring so much awareness to victims of motor vehicle crashes to discuss the life-changing consequences that most of us face.
It is Possible to Grow and Inspire Others
I truly have the most amazing friends who I have met virtually that I simply adore. I continue to be blown away by all of the support as I continue to connect with so many inspiring survivors and organizations that support crash survivors. It is possible to re-write your own story. To change, to grow and to inspire. I know this because I continue to do it. Wherever you are in your recovery journey, please always remember that you are not alone. It’s going to take a while but you will get there.
Now some may ask, “Do you miss the old you? The person you were nine years ago and my answer would be “you betcha” but I like the “new me” too. Embracing the “new me” was not easy at first but then she grew on me. It took a long time to understand her limitations and once I accomplished that, it allowed me to move forward. I am still determined but just in a different way. I am also known to stay in my pjyamas all day from time to time because I have learnt that sometimes I just need to do that when I’m having a bad day and that’s okay.
If you or your loved one is recovering from a motor vehicle crash, please join the The Crash Support Network Group where we continue to inspire and motivate each other through our daily struggles.
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.
