On 8/23/2008, I was a passenger in a serious one-vehicle rollover accident that resulted in a severe traumatic brain injury. The driver was drunk, 6 people packed into a single cab truck (4 in front and 2 in the bed), and a story that was rumored was that we were jumping a hill. Thankfully there weren’t any fatalities. There were serious injuries though. I don’t remember a month before the accident until a month after. I can’t say what actually happened because everyone in the accident “doesn’t remember either.” There is a saying that everything happens for a reason. My reason is I made a stupid decision.
The result of my traumatic brain injury was that I forgot everything and had to relearn how to do it all again. Things like walking, talking, reading, writing, swallowing, and so much more. I was discharged from the hospital 10/7/2008. I completed outpatient therapy in February 2009.
I continue to work to function everyday. I have had every feeling in the last 13 years in regards to this accident and the results. There have been lawsuits, settlements, convictions, acceptance, healing, setbacks, more healing and so much more. I have had the self-pity moments with this injury and I’ve realized for me that didn’t help anything. It would be easy to feel sorry about what I deal with and what happened. That doesn’t make anything better. I cannot change what happened. It does not help. What helped me was staying positive and finding something (can be anything) to keep myself motivated and to keep going. Following my accident I returned to college, graduated, have been employed full time, married, and have had 2 kids. Car accidents are generally unexpected and can disrupt things that had been “planned.” Life has certainly not been what I ever expected, but I will always still live it the best possible.
I have since started an instagram account sharing my recovery at: tbi.fitness that I welcome you to follow.
This article is also featured in our 2021 Winter 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.
