Update July 1, 2005

I graduated from Eastern Mennonite University on April 25, 2004 with a Bachelor's degree is Social Work. I am a motivational speaker educating people about traumatic brain injury, anti-drunk driving and determination. I encourage people to not give up because, as spoken of in my program, "When you think you can't do something, you can".

I was married to Neal W. Phillips on May 7, 2005. I am now a farmer's wife and I enjoy it greatly. At the end of May, I received my driver's license, after eight and a half years. Currently, I am focusing on my new role as a wife and discovering what I can do to make someone else's day better.

Update August 29, 2004

I am thrilled to announce my graduation from Eastern Mennonite University. Effective May, 2004 I hold a B.S.W. degree, which means a Bachelor of Social Work. It took 5 years and extra tutors, books on tape (my eyesight was affected by the accident) 2 separate computers, one for college work and one for the internet, many dear friends who helped whenever they could(new friends I made at college) and my supportive parents who drove me to school daily (7 years after the accident I do not have my permit,again vision problems)
My second special announcement is my wedding which is planned for May 5,2005.
I would appreciate your prayers as I embark on a motivational speaking tour with my caregiver Mom, Darlene Spitler.
We are so thankful to Sagasha for helping us when we needed it back in 1997, with the wonderful T.B.I. Chat!! May God continue to richly bless you all.

The day was Saturday.January 18,1997 the coldest night of the year (3 degrees). I was taking a nap when I was awakened by a friend calling requesting I return a pair of jeans I had borrowed.

I was a full time student and also worked a full time job,and somehow juggled a social life that included friends and a boyfriend. I had taken the jeans to her and was on my way home when the somewhat bubbly and fun-loving old Cara died.

It was my very first car a 1995,black Hyundai Scoupe. I was approximately 9 miles from home when a 1987 Ford Escort driven by a drunk driver hit me head on. My car had no air bags thus the best safety features were my seatbelt and the fact that the engine dropped upon impact. Pegasus had flown me to the University hospital as a priority 1 crash victim. I had sustained a broken femur, a crushed elbow,broken metatarsals,broken wrist,punctured lung,dislocated hip, and a traunatic brain injury. The 3 intoxicated people in the other car were all conscious,just cut up badly. I was in a coma for 6 weeks and in the hospital from January 18 thru June 3rd,1997.

My high school cheerleading and track participation as well as my very active lifestyle would prove to be a blessing,in the coming years of rehabilitation. My mother had moved into the intensive care unit of the hospital and was there for the duration of my hospital stay. Slowly I had begun to awaken from the coma with much confusion. A wreck-me-? impossible,I had never had a wreck in my entire life.

I started talking in April of 1997 and walking in August. It took several more years and many therapist to perfect my walk and learn to put inflections back into my voice. We have combined traditional and alternative therapys,such as swimming,hippotherapy(use of a horse in therapy),prayers, voice lessons,karate, pet therapy, essential oils, reflexology and a personal trainer at a wellness center.Since my release from the hospital, I have had eye surgerys (3), wrist surgery,surgery to remove 6 screws from my reconstructed elbow,and the rod removed from my femur. I have had many scar revisions surgerys, trach,abdomen exploratory and central line.

The Lord put the right people and therapy ideas at the right time to help me recover.

My soon to be released book, Cara's Hope by author James Fairfield details the miraculous recovery I have made.

My website http://www.comatocollege.com

Email Cara