This post used to be on my story/about me page but I am reworking that and decided to make this a blog post. Surely there are a few of you that missed it and not everyone knows “what happened”. So here ya go.
I was paralyzed in 1999, just 4 months after my high school graduation. I was just starting my adult life. I was happy.
I remember the day very clearly. I left work and skipped to my car, the sun beating down on my skin. I got home, realized I desperately needed to go wash my clothes, so I called my sister-in-law and asked if I could come over and wash. She said she wasn’t home, but over at a friend’s house and I should come on out. I thought it sounded like fun. My roommate arrived around this time and hopped in the car with me. We hung around for a bit and someone suggested we go out the this little swimming hole.
I got in the backseat of the car, behind the front seat passenger. My best friends decided to drive because everyone else had been drinking except her. When she got behind the wheel I slide over so I would be behind her. There was no real reason for this. I just did. I remember going along the road at sunset, and I remember the road curving to the left. I remember screams.I remember everything slowing down but I remember every detail of where I was and where my body was going. I can close my eyes and relieve every detail..Suddenly it was dark and I couldn’t move. My best friend was there and she was crying hysterically. She later told me that it looked like an elbow sticking out of the small of my back. My sister-in-law tried to take the wheel and had her foot on the gas pedal. When we went around the curve we hit another car. The car hit where I was sitting, sending me places I won’t describe here.
I was in critical care for several days before they could do the 12-15 hour surgery to stabilize my spine and I was in ICU for a couple of weeks after my surgery. There were a few nights they weren’t sure I’d make it, they even called my family and told them to come back to the hospital one night.
I was in the hospital for a total of about 5 weeks. That’s it. Not really that long if you think about it.
When the doctors told me the news I was not surprised. Somehow, I knew. The only thing I wanted to know is if I could still have babies. If I could life would be okay. They told me yes and I knew my only choice was to move on and adjust. It wouldn’t be easy but I would do it.My biggest dreams starting falling into place when I met my husband in 2001 and we married in 2002 and I became a mom for the first time in 2004, and again in 2008 and 2011. My boys are the light of my life and while it’s a challenge I wouldn’t trade staying home with them for anything in the world. We began our homeschool journey in 2011 and life is busier than ever. I’m not quite sure why they call it homeschool and stay-at-home mom. We certainly don’t stay home all day, everyday.
I also knew I wanted to go on to connect with others like myself. I found a huge support system through message boards, a website I created in the fall of 1999 and I continue to connect through my blog and backbones, and social media.
I’ve always known the importance of being a part of other’s lives, others JUST like me, but still different.
The virtual connections has been amazing, but I’ve always hoped for more.I want people to meet me and have them meet my family so they can see that their life can still be everything they want it to be, just a little different. I’m beyond excited to share MY story and to hear YOUR story. —
Now all my dreams have come. Despite paralysis, I am a mommy!!!
One thing I’ve said since the beginning is I am changed but still the same. To this day my attitude is positive and I don’t let the injury or the scars get me down. I still do EVERYTHING I want to do I¦just do it sitting down. I have a great life and couldn’t imagine being any happier. People are always asking me how I can be so positive and I tell them it’s because I want to. I dont get feeling sorry for myself. What good does that do me? No, thank you. I want to live my life and enjoy it and no one is going to keep me from doing that, most of all myself. So now you know. I have all kinds of scars on my body as a constant reminder of 9-12-99, but sometimes I still forget. I’ll be going about my business and forget I am actually sitting until I try to reach something high up or far away. It’s quite funny, really.
There you have it. Now you have the basic run down I give my new friends over a glass of wine!
What’s your story?! I’d love to hear.
lisa says
Wow, amazing that you remember everything. Sending love. You are an inspiration. I suffered a brain injury/concussion 2 years ago and have my very little battles. I try to deal best I can, but you are amazing!
lisa´s last blog post ..It’s Thanksgiving, Let’s Eat, Drink And Be Merry!
Michelle says
I can’t breathe after reading this. What an amazing woman you are. I found you through instagram via The Queen In Between’s post. The title of your blog is what caught me. You see, I have a 24 year old daughter who does life from her wheelchair too. She was born with spina bifida and well, if you’re interested in her story, hop over to my blog and in the archives: A Daughter Teaches, A Mother Learns. Anyways, your story is an inspiration because she is at the stage of her life where wanting to find someone to share life with is becoming a challenge. I’ll cry if I go on. So I’m passing your blog onto her to read, because she needs to see that with God’s timing her “prince” will come and she too can have a family if that is His will for her. I’m going to have to “stalk” you now, but I will do it tactfully by following you on social media! Amazing! This made my day.
Priscilla says
Hi Michelle. I am thrilled you found me, stalk away, haha. I will check out your blog. Thank you so much for your kind words and I hope I can be an encouragement to your daughter. Life really can be just as normal for us wheelie women :).
Sandy says
Amazing story…you are such a strong woman! I do always enjoying coming by your blog and reading your posts. 🙂
Sandy´s last blog post ..Ozeri Ultra Thin Professional Digital Kitchen Food and Nutrition Scale {Review}
Jason says
Hi Priscilla. I am really enjoying your blog. Somehow I came across it because I was doing searches on Lisa Ericson and it brought me here. Your posts are very inspiring. I was amazed to read your hospital stay was only five weeks (although at the time I bet it felt like an eternity!) I am currently in a wheelchair after a hospital stay of twelve or so weeks. Fortunately I am not paralyzed so I’m working with physical therapy to hopefully walk again someday. Although it looks bleak sometimes as there is most likely some neurological damage. I really like your quote that you can do anything anyone else can, you just do it sitting down. I may steal that from you. If it turns out I will have to stay in the chair I am going to want that quote on a t-shirt and/or coffee mug so get started on a webstore 😉
Priscilla says
I’m so happy to hear you found me! I wish you all the best with your therapy. I’ll have to think about a store! ?
Samantha says
Hi Michelle, I am in a ‘down’ day when I realize I can’t do things I liked to, but reading your blog my face has a smile again, my name is Samantha, I am a 13 year old girl who goes to school and tries to do things independently, I was in a car wreck too and I injured the same area you did, I cried when I read about your accident, I don’t remember much of mine, I had more than 10 fractures, including my jaw, legs, hip, ribs, I stayed at the hospital for like 3 months, I had to do 5th grade twice because of the accident but my parents have been great helping me being independent and now I want to live my life the fullest, I read that you don’t go to therapy, I do and it helped me lots, I started using diapers but now I don’t use anymore, I read the inappropriate questions make and I have them almost everyday so it annoys me, thank you for sharing your history, it had made my day, I hope you can read this and answer some, have a great day, thank you for making mine brighter.
Samantha (Sam)
Amelie Parker says
Hi ! This is very informative & interesting article.Nice to read your blog post first time ever. I really appreciate this post. Thanks for sharing this awesome post .