Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Jan 5, 1998: The day I almost died...


Jan 5, 1998 will forever be imprinted on my heart. It was the day before I would begin the second semester of my Senior year of high school. It was a Sunday, and I was on my lunch break from the part-time job I worked. I went home to grab a quick bite to eat. When I left my house to return to work, my mom said, "Keep it (your car) on the road and out of the ditches." I had no idea what she was talking about or why she even said that. She hadn't ever said that before. So, without much thought further I pulled out of the driveway and headed back to work.

I had driven this road countless times since getting my license almost 2 years prior. I had even made the comment "I can drive it (the road) with my eyes closed." Boy, at times we can be so foolish, can't we? The road I grew up on was very curvy--much too curvy for the 55 mph posted speed limit. As I was going around one of the curves, my pager went off (those were once the cool things to have). As I looked down, I ran off the road and over corrected. I hit another vehicle head on. Because I hit another moving vehicle, it was double impact. I hit my steering wheel at 110 mph.

This is the after math...or what I most often refer to as "the day I almost died."







Brace yourself or hold your breath...


So, you may be wondering how on Earth I could survive the mangled mess that was once my car. It's simple: God's grace and mercy. The one characteristic that I hated so much about myself--my petite size--saved my life. The space between my steering wheel and seat was just enough space for my broken, beat up body.

I was trapped in my car for two hours as rescue works called in the "jaws of life" to free me. (I met a former friend of my grandpa's who told me that he tried to pull on my car so much his hands were bleeding. That's before the rescue crews arrived. Thank you Mr. Willis!)

Once, I was finally freed, I was airlifted to Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville where I spent about a week in ICU. I had 8 hours worth of surgery the day of the accident to implant metal rods in both of my legs. I had broken my left femur and right tibula. I also broke my pelvis, my lung was collapsed, and I had countless staples and stitches.

Finally, I was conscience and moved to a regular room.






On January 30, after 25 days in the hospital, I finally was allowed to go home. Home, sweet home. It was 2 days before my 18th birthday.
I spent the rest of my Senior year being a home-bound student, attending physical therapy 3 times a week, and learning how to walk again.....Oh! And being so very grateful and undeserving of being alive.

So even 14 years later, I can say without reservation


"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well."


Psalm 139:14




Happy Anniversary to me! It's good to be alive!



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, I am glad that you are alive too!!! You are such a blessing. God really has big plans for your life. He kept you safe in that crash. Amazing that you even survived. God's ways are perfect, but why a crash? You are amazing!! Keep on being you:)

Anonymous said...

Elaine, you & your entire family is such a blessing to all that know you. God has kept you with us for a reason, He aint through with you yet! Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. I personally get a blessing in reading your post on here. This post stood out even more, I had no idea of the ordeal you had went through. God is so very good & am very thankful for what He has done in your life & brought you through. Keep the faith! love you & your family. thanks again for sharing!

Deidre said...

Wow, Elaine. I've heard this story but seeing the pictures makes it all too real. Yes, God has a plan. I'm so glad He spared your life that day!

Piper said...

I had heard bits and pieces of your story from Kaitlyn (I guess you were in youth sharing or something) but I never knew everything that happened. WOW GOD'S AMAZING GRACE!!! God has a plan for each of us to give us hope and a future.... HE definitely had plans for you. Just look at you now, from what was to what is now. Praise the Lord for HIS GRACE AND HIS HEALING!!

Michele Lackey said...

What an amazing story! I never knew this about you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made...that is why I am proud to call you my friend! God has so many plans for you and your family...may He continue to bless you and keep you safe!!! Love you!

Searching said...

Ugh, those pictures gave me goosebumps. God's hands are the only ones that could have kept just enough space between you and the crushed metal. I can barely believe that you were in there. God has a plan for you, indeed!

Anonymous said...

I Am always praying for God to keep you safe and in his loveing care. He was in that car with you on Jan 5,1998. Angels were all around,but God was not ready to take you to heaven just yet. He has things for you to do and he is the potter and you are the clay.I AM SO glad you are in his sweet loveing care always. Thank-You Lord for giveing me such a precious gift, MY DAUGHTER ELAINE....LOVE MOM

Kristen said...

That gave me chill bumps! Praise God for his hand on you that day!

Lynn said...

Oh Elaine---there are no words, only praise for God sparing your life so you could become a part of mine. Love you!

Donna said...

Girl - I'm just crying seeing these pictures. I've heard you talk about the accident but the pictures make it apparent how God has worked in your life. I am so glad you are alive and well and sharing your story. I love you!!!

I began blogging several years ago in search of new friends who, like me, were having a difficult time getting pregnant. Five years, 2 miscarriages, 4 failed IUI's, and a doctor who told us "It will never happen" later, we are the proud parents of Kade and Kohen. They are each an example of God's absolute perfection. We thank God where medical intervention stops, Divine intervention begins.