It was the week after school started, my classroom was ready and I had just finished testing my students to see how much they remembered from last year.   The holiday weekend would give me plenty of time to look over things and get ready to jump into the routine of a new school year. Unfortunately, I didn’t get back.  Sept. 2, 2001, I was injured in a powered parachute accident.  During take off, an unexpected gust of wind caused the aircraft to crash into the field, giving me a C5 spinal cord injury.  Most people remember that September for the terrorist attacks.  I was unaware of such happenings until later, since my focus was recovering from pneumonia and trying to get off a ventilator.   After 85 days in the Hershey Medical Center, I left for home.  You are never prepared for the emotional roller coaster that follows.  The best thing for me was to re-engage into things I did before I was hurt.  Just writing my name was a big hurdle to get over, let alone weight shifts, therapy, and battling the mental blocks.  I started tutoring at my house, took an online grad course and got myself out of the house as much as possible.  I learned to lean on family and friends to help me step back into the life I took for granted before.  Some days I begged to get out, while other days they pulled me out.  Every day, month, year, my strength increased whether I paid attention or not.  Goal setting drives me.  I dream big and do what I can to get there.  Frequently, I make myself celebrate the things I am able to do.  Daily, I give thanks for what I have.  Before I go to sleep, I replay my high points.  Being an inspiration to others is very fulfilling.  I’m limited in how I can give to others, but I finally realized how to make that happen without lifting a finger. 

“Tough times never last, tough people do.”

Robert Schuller

One of the hardest challenges for me was to write about my life changing event.  I think writing is a great form of therapy.  It has a definite connection with the healing process.  I never thought of writing as a form of therapy, but upon its conclusion I realized the impact it had on me.  I would definitely encourage others to find a way to communicate their life changing events or daily challenges, thoughts, etc., as a way of recovering.  My life is basically back to “normal”.  I just do things differently, and for the majority of the time I am ok with that.  On the days I’m not, I have a choice.  I can try to work it out, engage in life or I can disengage and watch life pass me by.  Unfortunately, I do have bad days, who doesn’t, but, they do not define me.

Currently, I am teaching part-time at Ebenezer Elementary school.  I wrote a children’s book, bought a house, became an aunt, fell in love…disability does not slow me down. Since December 2005, my life has been a whirlwind of opportunity.  You can check out my website to see some of the neat things that have happened!  www.heyspiney.com