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I returned to college after a one year layoff, realizing that working slave labor was not for me. I decided to finish my diploma in Conservation & Reclamation, it was because of this "grown-up" decision that I decided to celebrate my choice more than necessary.

I returned to my hometown for the weekend and there life was as normal as it always was. We grew up and got caught in the trap; thinking, " there is nothing to do in this little town, let's get drunk !" It was Saturday night Dec. 12/1992, there was a local hockey game on and a party to follow. My friend had just bought a new snow machine and rode it to the party. We joked, wrastled and drank until wee hours of the morning, at about 4:00 a.m. we figured that a rip on his new machine was in order. Now, because I grew up on snowmobiles I figured that I should be driving. There was only one helmet so I told my buddy to wear it because, " I'm driving, nothing is going to happen". I'm amazed that I made it as far as we did because I had no eye protection, It was very foggy out that night, we were going very fast and I was full of alcohol. I was going down a back alley and came to a "T" intersection with trees on the other side of the road. My buddy saw this coming because he had on the full face helmet with a visor. At the last minute he realized that I did not see this so he jumped off grabbing for me, failing to get a good grip and I hit the trees. I'm grateful that he is also trained in first aid and once found he did not move me for fear of worsening a possible spinal injury. Checking my vitals, I was not breathing and he quickly ran for help. He returned with a sleeping bag to keep me from going into shock and I was snoring; he said that he has never been so happy to hear somebody snore in his life !

I was assessed and rushed to a larger hospital in Saskatoon. Following my awakening from a coma, post traumatic amnesia and total memory loss I started to rebuild my life. I was on a mission to be a better person because I did not like being "out of touch" with myself. I pushed myself very hard to become the person I am today, at a price. I had been dating a girl for four years previous to the crash and had to deal with the trials of a relationship as well as find myself in the time following. This went on for five years before we mutually parted ways. Since then I have blossomed because I did not have a voice saying, " Jeff, you have a brain injury and always will you can never forget that ." I always had the feeling that I could not grow, I do not hold on to that fact but use it as a learning experience and know, trust and believe in myself. It is this self confidence that is what keeps me going. Don't get the wrong impression because if it were not for my girlfriend being with me in the hospital everyday and helping me I would not be who I am, for this I am forever grateful.

I can tell you about all of this because my girlfriend kept a diary, parents, friends and other family members have told me about the night of the injury and the two months following. One of my first thoughts after coming out of the amnesia, under nobodies influence other than my own was that I wanted to speak to the students at my hometown school, telling them about my injury and how it has changed my life forever. It could have been prevented and it is this that I want them to leave with; helping them to make the correct choice someday. At that time I could not do it because I could not answer their questions; I had to answer them for myself first. It took me five years before I was comfortable enough with myself and my situation to give this presentation. Once I did, I LOVED IT ! It felt so good to tell my story hoping to change the lives of the audience for the better. I have since been giving as many presentations that I can and will not stop as long as there is a need for me to do this ! If you wish to know more about myself, book a presentation or just chat, I can be reached at :jeffcourtice@yahoo.com

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, have a grrrrrrreat day !!!!!!