It was a sunny yet brisk day in February of 2008. I was a student returning back to Auburn University after a brief time spent home with a friend of mine. I had just eaten lunch with my family, waved them good-bye and started back towards campus. At Auburn, I was a Junior, majoring in Journalism, and I had recently obtained a student job at the school newspaper. Well, I was a very studious student and huge multitasker. So, I just had to catch-up on this article that was due while driving. It was a recording of a lady from the food bank that I was listening back to. I believe I dropped the recorder, reached back down to pick it up because I veered across the median and drove head-on with a pick-up truck.
Intense Surgeries with Years in Therapy
Now honestly, I don’t remember the accident itself or months before, but I must have been messing with it because the entire accident was all recorded on the tape. For example, the country song I was listening to, the sound of sirens and this gentleman’s voice saying, “breathe easy ma’am, help is on the way. I still have the recording today. As a result of the crash, I sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury. I had what’s called Diffuse Axonal Injury. That’s where you’re brain sheers. I did the damage to the left portion of my brain, so my entire right side was affected. To this day, I can do minimal amounts with my right leg and nothing with my right arm.
My top three most intense surgeries were an Intercranial Pressure Monitor which reduces swelling in the brain. I also had what is called a tracheostomy where they cut a hole in your windpipe to get you to breathe. They also stuck a tiny tube down my throat three times and damaged my vocal cords. Then the last is a Baclofen Pump, which relieves spasticity. Now I could go on and on about the years I spent in speech, physical and occupational therapy. However, I’m just going to tell you that I had to relearn how to walk, talk, swallow, think, unsuccessfully use my right arm, unsuccessfully drive.
Navigating Mobility Issues
It has now been almost seventeen years and I am still working on all those things. It’s kind sad to me, but it has almost become second nature. It feels just like I have been doing this forever. Currently, I spend an entire half day either in therapy, trying my best to walk or doing exercises. Also, every event that I attend I have to surround myself with the accident and I am forced to think of certain things. For example:
- Is there going to be a bar around the toilet?
- Are there going to be many people so no one will be able to hear me?
- Is it one level and easy access?
There is also so much more. Although I try to enjoy myself, every event or activity that is supposed to be fun and relaxing turns out to be stressful and requires extra planning. Still with the therapy continuing, I felt I needed to complete my degree as a student. It took an extra three years, but I walked across the stage and earned my diploma. After working at a part-time job, I got the idea to use my experiences to try and warn others not to drive distracted. So, one day I took an Uber to Starbucks and started to have a conversation with the business owner. They decided to help me create a Public Service Announcement and they also helped me create a non-profit Motivational Speaking Company. I have talked on TEDxEmory, to the legislation of Georgia, many high schools and driving schools. I have spoken outside the state of Georgia only twice and my hope is speaking at many different driving schools/high schools across the United States.
A Second Later Allows Me To Tell My Story
In 2017, I produced a public service announcement together with key individuals to help spread my message to drivers everywhere. It aired in several states. From there, I was inspired to start my own non-profit, motivational speaking company, A Second Later. Through my organization, I have been able to tell my story to schools, businesses, professional organizations, civic groups, and even legislators in the State of Georgia.
People experience so many hardships, but this is one that I could have changed. It was a very easy fix and it would have saved me a lifetime of hardship if I did not drive distracted. No one needs to be in the same predicament as me. It is not worth it.
A huge thank-you to Molly for bravely sharing her story about how distracted driving can change lives forever. Her powerful message reminds us of the importance of staying focused on the road. For more information on Molly please visit: www.asecondlater.com
This article is also featured in our 2024 Winter Issue of Sharing our Recovery.
