“Do not let trauma define you. You define trauma!”
On 10/12/21, a driver failed to stop at a stop sign. It resulted in me T-boning the SUV on my Indian Chieftain, a motorcycle, in Falling Waters, WV. I was life flighted to Inova Fairfax. On the life flight, I had to be resuscitated. I have had a total of 22 surgeries. During my time at Inova Fairfax, the incredible staff, had to deal with, my brain hematoma, sepsis, kidney failure, obstructive bowl, open book fractures, plastic surgery, and other injuries. Doctors, nurses, physical therapy, repository therapists, and Trauma Survivor Network (TSN). Shira, gave my family hope, especially my wife, that I would survive. I lost 2 months of my life. I do not remember.
I was lost while I was sent to long term care. I did not understand what happened to me and fears I never experienced before in life. My caregiver, my wife, was overwhelmed and I needed to support my wife. One day, my wife, Cindy, showed me an email from Shira in reference to Trauma Survivors Network. I met my peers who empathized with each other. They made me feel like I could recover and it was okay to struggle in the recovery journey. I had survived.
My recovery is on going and will probably be on going for the rest of my life. I still learn about my injuries and what I went through. So many people have helped me in my journey of recovery. I wish I could thank everyone who was involved in saving my life.
Trauma recovery is a journey with many stops and peaks and valleys. You have say on how your journey goes.
I am back at the gym and training to compete in strongman and the Highland games. Finally, I got back on the motorcycle and ride again. I appreciate I am able to get up every morning.