The Game Changer

    "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me."
Psalm 50:15

    Hey everyone, I have always been a believer that everything happens for a reason and on November 15, 2012 God put me to the challenge. That morning I was coming home from deer hunting, and it was a cold morning, for some unknown reason I lost control of my car. I was not speeding, I did not over correct, I was trying to do everything right that I had been taught. I do not know if I hit black ice causing the tires to go off the road or what but when I corrected it shot my car to the other side and the car spun. Then I corrected to avoid the treeline and the car spun again and headed to the other side I think, I just remember heading for the stop sign. So I ducked in the passengers seat an that is the last I remember till I woke up. I was not wearing seat belt. I was just two miles down road,  I had plan to stop at mamaws but didn't so just was too late but honestly I think I wouldn't have made it if I had it on because I couldn't have ducked, and instead of it being my arm it would be my head. Anyway, apparently I plowed down the stop sign and hit an embankment which shot me up into the tree and there is a scar where I  hit the tree six feet in the air. Then I came back down. But I do not remember any of that.



     I woke up laying half in passengers seat and my feet in the drivers seat, I knew it was bad due to the fact I could not feel my left arm. I didn't know what to do because my phone was deep in my hunting bib pockets on the drivers side crushed and I could barely move to reach it. I had to get someones attention so I swung my boots up and wailed on the horn over and over trying to get some neighbors attention. I was in so much pain I wanted to throw up. No one was coming and I was feeling so sick. I was determined to go for my phone. Finally after a lot of work and pain I  was able to reach my phone and call my dad, because I didn't know the address of my location. So he called 911, help showed in what seemed like forever. My family said that first guy to arrive on seen was a neighbor an when he arrived I was passed out with blue lips and he tried to wake me up but I wasn't breathing or something so it took a minute but when he moved me and I woke back up and gasped for breathe. Creepy huh? If I was him I would have freaked out. That I don't remember.I thought I was awake the whole time! The ambulance finally arrived and got me out of the car and when they set me up I saw my arm turn around backwards and I knew it was not good! But still I just thought it was just dislocated nothing serious. Then I got in the ambulance and found out I was going to be getting a helicopter ride how sweet right? lol They weren't communicating to dad or me how serious this was.

     While in the ambulance they began to cut off all my clothes. I just had to be wearing all my good camo that day huh for them to cut off! I didn't let them get my boots though! I kicked them babies off! Worst thing ever and waning! to trauma patients, they couldn't get my vein in ambulance so they stuck it through my shin bone with this loud drill thing!! They didn't tell me what they were going to do, they just said, warning this is going to be loud!What a warning! While in the ambulance I heard the paramedics talking saying the helicopter had to land in the field by the accident because there was no time to have the ambulance take me to meet the helicopter to Symsonia School, which was the original landing zone. Now I was really confused, there is no time to fix my dislocated shoulder? Whats going on? Nothing was told to me!
 

    Then I got to go on the helicopter ride and wished I could have at least seen the view if its gonna cost me a chunk to ride ha that is just not fair! Then when I arrived to Vanderbilt I don't remember much till I awoke an then my parents were the ones to tell me that they had to take my arm. I didn't understand why. There were some theory's in the wreck that the door opened and shut on my arm somehow in the air or when it might have rolled. They also thought I had the window down with my arm out and it the car rolled, but it was freezing so no way. We don't really know for sure how. But it was the door that was pinned on my arm not the roof.

    My left artery was severed I was a Miracle for sure! God had his hand on my heart.The surgeon said he couldn't believe it, I should have bled out in minutes but for some reason it clotted on its own, Unfortunately they couldn't save my arm, I am dis-articulated at the shoulder.  I broke 3 ribs, collarbone,  my scapula. fractured vertebrae in my neck and had a concussion. But the main thing was I was alive and a living miracle with a story to tell! I was in Vanderbilt for 5 days where I had a few amazing nurses and was hooked up with the trauma team which helped a lot! Then transferred to inpatient therapy for two weeks where they hadn't had any upper amputees so everything was new, but had a student OT who stuck with me and was amazing! People sometimes don't realize the impact they can make on peoples lives.

    Then I was sent home for home health for two days in which was back in the ER due to a MSSA infection in the surgery site. I was sent in for surgery in which they pulled out an infection the size of a softball! Crazy huh! Then I was in home health for recovery for a couple months with OT PT and nursing care. Making the most of my new life and learning what I can.

    My Goal is to help others who are going through the same thing or other tough times. Whether it be questions on how to do certain things or just having a friend to turn to. I just feel led to share my story as it has inspired others on Facebook, which I am ever so thankful for! Ill post products I use and how I'm adjusting to the new me and inspirations that's helped me throughout.


"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT) Jeremiah 29:11