Sarah sustained a severe traumatic brain injury at the age of 15 after getting in a car with an underage drinking driver and is the author of the book, “You’re Getting Better Every Day.” Her writings have been published in Hope magazine and ADDitude Magazine. Most recently, she has become a yoga instructor for children dealing with those who have experienced trauma and earned her Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher Certificate with a Trauma Informed Focus.
Guiding Others
The decision to accept and live with her brain injury has opened up new doors as well as provide her with a new meaning of life. Sarah’s journey guides young people through a devastating ordeal they couldn’t otherwise imagine; accepting and living with brain injury, the grueling hospital stay and rehabilitation process; relearning basic motor skills (tying a shoe, buttoning pants, holding silverware) and the social challenge of resuming school life.
While it is still a struggle for Sarah to hold her breath underwater, accepting who she has now become, the withdrawals from her friends and the activities she can no longer complete are new obstacles that stand in her way. Having to take notes in school was a challenge for her, as the crash had affected her ability to write. Much of her audience becomes concerned with the fact that her friends treated her so poorly after the crash. Others comment on her strength, bravery, inspiration and willingness to teach others. Sarah is a role model for all people, as they can see the devastating struggles that she has pulled herself through.
One Life One Captain
Today, Sarah has become a leader with her efforts to promote traffic safety. She has spoken to a countless number of elementary, middle, high schools, colleges and organizations nationwide, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Students Against Destructive Decisions, National Student Safety Program, the Governor’s Youth Leadership Safety Program and the National Organization of Youth Safety.
“One Life, One Captain,” is the name of her presentation as she teaches students personal responsibility, healthy choices and that wearing a safety belt can save their life too. Speaking to people across the country is what gives her hope. Kids listen to her as she can relate to their age group.
“I have a story to tell; not aimed to motivate, inspire and/or uplift lives but rather to change via honesty and responsibility, the lives of those and those around them.”
We encourage you to read Sarah’s story and to visit her website at www.sarahjspeaks.com as she continues to fight the battle of drinking and driving, underage drinking, poor choices and traumatic brain injury awareness. Sarah speaks of what it takes to overcome tragedy while dealing with a new identity.
We thank Sarah for sharing her story with us and thank her for everything that she continues to do for others.
This article is also featured in our 2021 Winter Issue of Sharing our Recovery
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.
