Update January 26, 2006

It has officially been 2 years since my accident. I am so happy I have made it this far. I appreciate all the support of everyone who has been praying for me and helping me along the way. I am not running yet, but I am working on it in my spare time. I am going to see my psychologist today, and I am going to make this my last visit with him. I had my last visit with my Occupational Therapist a couple weeks ago. I am so happy to have that over with. I am just taking care of myself at home, and I am hoping to be driving pretty soon. I just really want to thank everyone for everything you have done for my family and I. I couldn't have made it this far without the help of all of you. Thanks again. Love you!
Crystal

I was in a car accident Janruary 26, 2004. I wanted to go on a joy ride with some friends, and the driver started trying to show off. He was going 80 down a 40 mile road at night...it was about 9:30. We were only suppose to be going around the block, but we decided to go a bit farther. We were heading to the next city over. He turned the wheel because he thought it was a turn, but it turned out to be a driveway. He ran into a steel fence. It looked like someone had taken the car and dropped it on the fence because one of the poles came up through the car. The jaws of life couldnt get me out. They had to go get a torch. The other 2 people in the car, a 12 year old girl, and an unliscenced 17 year old driver, were constious, but I got knocked out. It took 45 minutes to get me out. I was air lifted to the hospital. I had 4 chest tubes on each side put in immediately... both of my lungs collapsed, my right collar bone was broke, and my right leg was broke, and my right ankle...the had curled around the pole. The driver, JD, had a tiny scratch on his head, and Sarah, the other girl, had a punctured liver, kidney, and a broken arm. I was in a coma 56 days, then I was bed ridden for about 4-5 months. I had to go back in one afternoon because my lung collapsed and started to fill up with blood. They had to do an emergency surgery. I got 4 chest tubes on my left side. I was put in physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, and neurocognitive therapy, helping with my short term memory, and speech therapy. It took a long time, but I started being able to walk after about 1 month of therapy, with a walker. When I was in a big space though, I needed a wheel chair. I was alotted $50,000 to make my house liveable for me, and get pay for our car, because I can get in and out of it. I havent given up... my Mom is my main caregiver, she never gave up on me. Even when the doctors said I would be a vegetable the rest of my life, my Mom wouldnt give up...and now I am walking all the time, I dont use a walker or wheel chair anymore, even when it gets tough, I have learned to take care of myself... doing my own therapy since I am not getting it as an outpatient right now. I love making my Mom happy, I love our relationship now. Before we would always argue, I even moved out for a little while. I was smoking, doing drugs, having sex, drinking. It was terrible. Now, I dont do anything illegal, and even though I am old enough, I dont smoke. I cant belive I have made it this far. It makes me so happy just to see my Mom happy and smiling now. Thank you for reading my story. I would like to hear any comments on it at the address below. I would really appreciate it... It would help me with my drawing, my self esteem. I hope to hear from you soon!

Email Crystal