I have a dear friend who was in a near-fatal car crash five years ago today. The little tiny car in which she was a passenger was t-boned by a speeding Cadillac Escalade, pushing 18” into the passenger side. The rescue team had to cut into the car to get her out and into the ambulance. She was rushed into surgery where it was found that her liver had been lacerated, her pelvis was broken, her lung had collapsed, and the diaphragm was torn. There was so much damage, she needed two surgeries in as many days.
She is part of a 12-step community, and her many friends rallied to her side in tag-team fashion, so that she was never alone. Her rehab was grueling, and included treatment for a traumatic brain injury. All together, it looked pretty grim for her.
She is a tenacious person, and she worked hard over the next full year of rehab. Her employer worked with her in her extended absence, and co-workers donated their own sick leave to help her out financially. When she was finally ready to return to work, she was able to move at a pace she could handle. She worked her way beck up to full-time work over the course of the next 18 months.
As I look back over the last 5 years, I am simply astounded at her recovery. She is a living, breathing, walking miracle, and an inspiration to all who know her.
Today, I am grateful for her, and for her recovery. I am grateful for the community of caring people who rose to the occasion and stuck with their support for the long run. It makes me thankful for my own good health, and that I’m still on this side of the ground.
My friend is indeed a Walking Miracle.
No comments:
Post a Comment