A Motorcycle Collision changed my life. On April 29, 2018, I was involved in a serious motorcycle collision. My husband was the driver and I was the passenger. It was to be our last ride because my husband was turning 70 and said he didn’t feel strong enough to hold up the bike anymore and have the quick reaction he needed. For this reason, I should have not gotten on the bike again. However, it was our last ride before he was going to put the bike up for sale on craigslist. Silly me…who would think that I didn’t have the common sense to realize that if he is not strong enough to hold up the bike, I should have not gotten on the bike one more time.

We were riding through a preserve and he was going very slowly staying as far to the right as possible because of twists and turns in the road and he was concerned about oncoming cars riding in the middle of the road. Unbeknownst to him, the road cut off, we hit gravel and he tried to negotiate the curve but the motorcycle went over a large embankment (which I call a cliff) and down several feet. He must have flown off the front because he sustained little injury…a broken rib and ripped skin on his arm. I believe that I stayed on the bike and as it was falling.  It fell on me as I was landing then it rolled over me, I rolled and it landed again on my foot. My husband pulled my foot out, leaving my boot under the bike. I had a helmet on, thank goodness, and I was face down and in excruciating pain.  This motorcycle collision changed my life.

Multiple Injuries

I broke my pelvis, sacrum on both sides (one comminuted), tail bone, pubic bone, compression fracture in L-3 and tore skin off down to the muscle on left thigh and had a hematoma from female area to knee on inner thigh. I had to have three blood transfusions.

I was in the hospital for almost two weeks and rehab for three weeks. I was in a wheelchair and non-weight bearing for six weeks and on a walker for four weeks without full pressure. I have endured a great deal of pain during this healing time. I have experienced procedures that I never knew existed and were so degrading to me. I wore diapers for several weeks. I am no longer the same person and I have changed in many ways. I have also joined an online support group for survivors of collisions that I didn’t wish to join and I know that everyone else in the group didn’t choose to be a member either.  The Crash Support Network Group truly understands what we are all going through both physically and emotionally. When we say we hurt, if it’s not apparent in view, it truly is not understood. It’s comforting to have people truly understand what we are going through.

One Should Never Lose Hope

I hope that one day I can put this behind me. It’s not just physically damaging but also very much emotional damaging. There are days that I have pain that I have a tough time dealing with. However, with faith, I believe I will move forward and hope that this is in my rear view mirror one day.  Positivity is one of the keys to healing.  It takes several months to heal and one should never lose hope.

Diane is a very strong woman and we thank her for sharing her story with us.  We wish her nothing but positive healing in her ongoing recovery.

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.