Let’s admit it—we all do it! We make New Year’s Resolutions that we don’t or can’t keep. As a survivor of a motor vehicle crash, you may try to look to the New Year in a different way and make resolutions regarding your recovery. Here are a few goals to set for yourself in the coming New Year for the different stages in your recovery journey.
Recently Diagnosed? Ask Questions!
Surviving a crash will likely make you feel so overwhelmed as you are not able to work and you are left to deal with financial, emotional & psychological issues not to mention chronic pain. While your doctor has your best interests in mind, don’t be afraid to ask questions about your current treatment plan and the options available to you. It is important to be an active participant in your health care as you go through your journey.
In Treatment? Ask for Help!
While going through your recovery, pain can make your everyday activities become seemingly impossible to do. Make a resolution to ask for help when you need it even with chores such as cleaning, laundry and cooking but especially for important tasks like transportation to doctor’s appointments when you are not feeling well or for emotional support.
Join a Support Group
Surviving a crash can be life changing. Whether you are having a tough time dealing with your diagnosis or you feel that your life has completely fallen apart, join our Online Support Group to talk with others who are going through a similar journey. Some survivors experience a loss of friends or loved ones as they recover but when you join a support group, you have an opportunity to gain many new friends to help you through your journey. Do not struggle alone!
Share Your Story
As a survivor, your crash and recovery are a unique story. Take time to tell your story with other survivors. Sharing your personal struggles is beneficial to other survivors as your own experience can be educational and a source of inspiration. Sharing your story is a good way to bring awareness to the daily challenges you are faced with after your crash. Whether you choose to use social media, a blog, a support group or a combination, sharing your recovery journey after your collision can be extremely therapeutic! If you don’t feel comfortable attaching your name to your story, write it anonymously.
Continue to Take Care of Yourself
As you learn to live life as your “new normal”, take the time to continue to take care of yourself. Keep your health a high priority by taking time to exercise and eat well. Attending your doctor’s appointments and continuing with any prescribed medication is also important. Above all, remember that your crash does not define you as a person and that you are not alone in this journey.
Be Kinder to Yourself
You may not be able to control how kind other people are to you, but you can always control how kind you are to yourself. This upcoming year, set the resolution to believe in yourself, respect yourself and to treat yourself well. Your should be proud that you have made it this far!
Keep A Journal
Journaling is a powerful life tool. It can help you to organize your thoughts, plan how to achieve your goals and to get in touch with your true feelings and wants. This is truly beneficial after surviving a crash in so many ways.
A New Year is like a blank notebook and you get to write anything you want in it. I know this past year has been extremely difficult but you must always remember every step in your recovery is worth cheering for. May the 12 months of the New Year be full of new achievements in your recovery journey.
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.
