My name is Jennifer. I was on active duty in Germany, in 1995. My NCO and I were driving on the autobahn. The German would not let us into the left lane. I guess my NCO was not paying attention to what she was doing. She drove my Hummv, military truck, under a german truck and it tipped over on my side. My right foot went right through the floor, I severely banged my head on the inside of the hummv, and I was bleeding. I really don't remember too much. Everything I am typing on here, I have heard from my Company Commander, 1st SGT, and family members. I was in a coma for awhile. I don't remember how long. I was taken by ambulance to the Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. I was there for about one week, I think. Then, I was sent to Walter Reed in an airplane. (Medivac Flight) I got to Walter Reed on March 1, 1995. I stayed there until September of 1995. I went through Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. First, I was in a wheelchair, then I moved on to crutches. Then, came a cane, and now, I can finally walk without anyone/anything assisting me. I have had to have two surgeries on my right foot, since I broke the bone. I got blood taken every morning at 6:30, the doctors and nurses asked me every day questions such as: Who is the President of the United States, How many fingers am I holding up, etc. The doctors did not think I would make such a quick recovery as I did. Thank god I did, though. I am completely independant now. I do feel bad though about one thing I did while I was hospitalized. Since I was "out of it", I had no idea what was going on. My Mom and my Brother came to see me one time. I had no idea who they were. I know they do not hold that against me. They understood since they knew how I was feeling. But, anyway, I am so happy I am FULLY RECOVERED NOW. I am still unable to work and I have constant migraine headaches, arthritis in my right foot, and short term memory loss. I am happy and living on my own. I just really need to thank my family, friends and the doctors and nurses in Germany and Washington, DC.
