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My life changed in an instant on December 22, 2005. I was recently married to my high school sweetheart at the age of 21 and
we were enjoy life and our dog, Lilo together. I was on my way to work at 7:30 in the morning, where I worked as a graphic
designer. I was going around a curve that I went on twice a day and I hit black ice and started to go off the road. I corrected
myself and got back on the road and I hit another patch which made my car start to spin and I was hit by a transit bus(which
is just a short school bus) in the other lane of on-coming traffic. I was hit on the passenger side and half of my car was
smashed together. My seat broke and I ended up in the back seat with my seatbelt still strapped to me. Two ladies got out
of their cars and went to each of us and called 911. I was taken to the local hospital and from there I was lifeflighted to
the nearest city, which is Des Moines, IA. I was unconscious the entire time. I suffered 3 main skull fractures, right side
paralysis, 2 cracked vertabraes in my neck, punctured lung, broken ribs, broken pelvis in three places, hearing loss due to
injured ear drums and several little things. I have short term memory loss of November and don't remember December and parts
of the first few weeks of January. I spent three days in CCU and woke up Christmas day. I was then transfered to the Trauma
floor. And after a week there, I was then moved to rehab. Once I was home, I had a lot of adjustments to make. Not working,
going to therapy for speech and physical therapy, and just changing my lifestyle, which in turn has changed my outlook on
life. It's been a hard change with my friends. I'm from a very small town and the only thing to do is go to the local bar
and have a good time. My husband, family and a few friends have made it a bit easier in adjusting to it. I now see a therapist
and she has helped so much and I look forward to our sessions. I haven't returned to work yet, but I will. My story may not
be as bad as others, and that is something I tell myself on the days I start to feel down. I believe that everything happens
for a reason. Everyone was given a second chance for some reason, we may not know what it is right away...but we will. My
faith has become very strong in believeing and trusting in the Lord. You just got to have a little faith.
Much love-thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Jen
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