With this type of injury, you’re looking at nine to twelve months of recovery.” I heard the words coming from the mouth of the attending surgeon at Roanoke Memorial Hospital but it didn’t register completely. “Sure, Doc I’m ready, but can you save the leg?” That exchange was the beginning of what I would come to learn was a lifetime journey of recovery following a near fatal accident involving me and my family.
What began as a nine to twelve month journey evolved into a perpetual trek. I recently marked five years since that life changing day with recovery evolving into life long rehabilitation. At the beginning of the accident, when the doctor spoke those words, I was ready to recover. Energized to fight for my limb. Enthusiastic to do whatever it took for however long required. It’s easy to be enthusiastic as the beginning of the fight but by the 8th or 9th round, it’s more difficult to muster up the energy. So how does one gain the strength to continue to fight through recovery?
You Have to Find Your Motivation
There’s no one answer or right answer to that question. It comes down to the things that motivate you. Maybe you are a person of faith. Perhaps you have a supportive friend group. It could be that you have a tight knit family. Some people like to go within for self-motivation. Hopefully, all of the above apply. Personally, I’m fortunate to fall in the last category. During my recovery, I relied on all of the above mentioned categories, individually and collectively. As I progressed through recovery and experienced setbacks and disappointments, I shunned my faith. During those times, my family stepped in; particularly my very supportive husband, to lift me up.
When I went through a deep depression at the thought that I’d never be the person I was once was, my sister friends sent encouraging words and songs that motivated me to get out of the bed. When I was bed ridden, my favorite aunt and cousin entertained me with balloons and laughter. When I started rehab and experienced the pain that accompanied learning to walk again, I pushed myself through with motivational self-talk. When I returned to my faith, self made sticky notes placed strategically throughout my home was just what I needed. You have to find what works for you! You’ll be surprised at the things that uplift you to continue fighting for your recovery and healing. One time, my stepdad, a man of few words, talked to me for 45 minutes! I was so shocked that he chose to pour that many words of encouragement on me. Another time, one of my sister friends came over and sat next to me while I completed a difficult task.
My accident was catastrophic but accidents of any size, big or small, can be difficult. Lean on your support system. Lean on your loved ones. Lean into your recovery and rehabilitation and fight for your healing!
Johnita shares her survival and healing from a catastrophic car accident through her podcast “Waiting is the Hardest – W.I.T.H. “Five years ago, I almost died. This podcast will share the story of how I survived twice; first from my physical injuries and then from the emotional turmoil resulting from my accident, healing, and recovery. This is the story of one woman’s journey of survival. My survival. This podcast is for anyone who has faced or is currently facing an insurmountable challenge and is struggling to cope. This podcast is unique because the story is told through a first-hand account based on journal entries written during that time. To follow Johnita’s recovery journey, we encourage you to follow her on instagram at waitingisthehardest and to listen to her podcast at waitingisthehardest.
Johnita is a member of the Crash Support Network and we are so thankful that she shared her story with us. We look forward to keeping in touch with her throughout her recovery and listening to more of her recovery journey on her podcast show as she is such an inspiration.
This article is also featured in our 2022 Fall Issue of Sharing our Recovery.
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.
