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Lynne Gerulski
We ( my husband & 1 daughter) were on our way home from Ann Arbor. 3 lanes going north, I was driving in the middle lane. White pick-up truck came on from the feeder. Passed me on the passenger side. All of a sudden she veered across all 3 lanes of traffic. She momentarily straightened up, then veered back again. As she came back , the truck turned. By the time she hit me she was going south in the north bound lanes.I slammed on my brakes and veered to the right to get away from her. It was like she had a beacon on me and followed, which was strange because no one was driving the vehicle at this time. Things get fuzzy from here on in. Don't remember a lot about the accident itself. Remember hearing grinding metal that seemed to go on for ever. Found out later she had pushed us against the guard rail. There was a perfect imprint of it on the passenger side of the car. I remember a loud pop. Don't know if it was the airbag, my window blowing up or some of the impact. My husband was sleeping in the passenger seat(reclined) with his sea belt on. seatbealt dislocated his ribs and he was having trouble breathing. Our daughter was in the backseat in the middle also wearing her seatbelt. She was still tossed around a lot. Lots of bruising and rug burn on her face from hitting the door.

I had double whiplash in my neck and back, from my seatbelt. Burns on my face from airbag (nothing permanent). Injured my left elbow, which injured my left shoulder.

Also injured my right shoulder. I was wearing sunglasses when airbag hit me. I now have numbness and pain around my right eye. Banged my left knee somewhere in he accident. Was off from work for 6 1/2 months. Insurance Co. forced me to go back. My doctors did not want me to go back yet. Their doctors said I was fine and could return to work. I have missed work on and off due to aggravated injures I sustained in the accident.

It has been 16 months since the accident. I just had surgery on my left knee. I have some permanent damage that could not be fixed and some scar tissue removed. I still have numbness and pain around my right eye, still unable to wear rx glasses for more than 1 1/2 hrs at a time. Left shoulder and elbow still cause some weakness and pain when lifting. Tendonitis in my right shoulder. Still see a chiropractor for the whiplash to my neck and back. I also a psychologist for tbi and post-traumatic stress. She is trying t help me get to know the "new" me. I have gone through a lot of changes, mental as well as physical. Use 3 day planners to help with memory problems. I also occasionally have trouble with my balance.

I know I am very lucky, not only to be alive, but that I was not hurt more seriously. I try to remember that when I am having a bad day.

Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, today is a gift, that's why its called , "the PRESENT"

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