6 Years Ago...

In the early hours of the morning, found me at Harris Methodist Ft. Worth Emergency Room.  Someone made the fatal mistake of thinking they could drive me home after a night of drinking and bar hopping.  My life forever changed that night.  I spent about a week in a medically induced coma in the ICU.  My head, thank god, only had cuts and scrapes, though some were pretty severe.  My left hand was fractured in a few places and I wore oh so comfy rods in them for a few weeks.  I fractured a few ribs and I remember having this strange rattling sensation when I breathed and although it didn't hurt, it was very strange.  Back tracking just a bit, the truck I was in went over an overpass and rolled a few times before my seat belt broke and I was thrown from the truck.  As best anyone can tell, I actually landed smack on my butt which caused my spine to compress at L1.  The bone broke and sent little shards into my spinal cord, thus partially paralyzing me for life.  

It is strange to think it has been 6 years since this life altering even happened to me.  I have come so far since then.  People who meet me, or even just family and friends will say things like "I don't know how you do it, I couldn't."  Well no one knows what they can do until they are forced and have no choice.  It's not like I used to be all "If I was in a wheelchair I would do great!"  The thought never even entered my mind because "nothing like that would ever happen to me."  Well it did and although it really sucks some days, I am very proud of myself in all that I have over come.  I have turned the worst case scenario into the best that it can be.  

I want to let all of my family who was there for me during, what I can only imagine was terrifying hours and days, waiting to see if I would make it or not, how much I love and appreciate all of you.  

Less than 2 years after becoming wheelchair bound, I met someone who on our very first date knew instantly that he would be the man I would marry.  We hit it off right away and he was so awesome and could of cared less that I was in a wheelchair.  After dating for 3 months he asked me to marry him and a month later we were married!  A little after 2 years of marriage I gave birth to our wonderful daughter.  She has made everything I went through worth it.  

So, despite not being able to walk, I am very happy and very lucky to have such a great family.  In another year I will be posting about how it has been 7 years, then 8..9..10..and so on for a very long time, I hope!  I left the hospital knowing I would never walk again and oddly enough, I don't remember ever actually being upset about it.  It was something that happened and I just needed to focus on how to make the best of a shitty situation, and I think I did a fabulous job!! =)