Personal Stories

A “Thank You” lunch changed my life!

I was a 15-year veteran of my job when I went to lunch that day (Feb.15, 2000), ironically a “thank you” lunch, and never went back to work. A car accident resulted in a coma that lasted for 2 and a half to 3 months. As I was told, I was in emergency and intensive care at St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, South Dakota for a couple weeks. Then, because I was still unresponsive, I ended up in a nursing home. Toward the end of April (it has now been 12 weeks from the accident) I seemed to be coming out of the coma so was returned to St. Luke’s. During that repeat stay, I fell, trying to get to the bathroom (in a semi-coma state) and broke my hip. Another set back that I didn’t need. During this repeat hospital stay, I was involved in physical, occupational and speech therapy six days a week, once or twice a day. I remember asking the doctor (I was in a wheelchair with a broken hip) “Am I always going to be like this?” His answer was “work hard in therapy”. And I did, hoping that someday things would be closer to normal.

Because I was hit on the right side, my right eye was closed for 3+ months (the Dr. called it third nerve palsy, I believe) and had no strength whatsoever in the right arm/hand. In fact, the therapists had to work on that arm to get it to relax (it was clasped in a folded position to the chest for the longest time). Once the feeding tube had been removed and I could eat real food, the liquids still had to be thickened. I guess the reason for that was so I wouldn’t get liquid in my lungs. Because the right hand had no strength, I ate with my left (and yes, a right-handed person can eat with the left if the desire is there).

I remember at physical therapy I couldn’t lay flat because I would feel sick to my stomach. But elevating the head slightly seemed to do the trick. Therapy continued for a long time when I finally got home the end of June, first at home and then by using Ride-Line to provide the needed transportation. I went to Midland Campus for physical, occupation and speech therapy.

Because the trachs (I guess there were two different ones) were in for so long, I have scar tissue on the vocal cords which makes speaking difficult (I can never seem to get enough air). Therapy has improved my balance, but as I tell people “I don’t make any sudden moves”. I can print but can’t write, but I can sign checks and charge slips and my signature looks like I should be a Doctor. But things could be a lot worse, I have adapted. I had a great job which of course I lost because I couldn’t go back to doing the things I did. As I tell people, I can do most things. I might do them differently and it takes longer, but eventually, they get done.

This whole experience has been a real eye opener—I thought I was infallible and found out that I am not. I have a real understanding of “the handicapped”. Things will never be the same, but I have adapted and they could be a whole lot worse.

They Don't Know What I Know (Click Here)

My Story
I was six years old when I was injured in a car-train accident on August 31, 1974. I was a passenger in the back seat…(no seat belts in those days!). My Dad was driving, while my Mom was in the front passenger seat. My niece and my brother were also in the back seat with me. The motor on our vehicle stalled when crossing the railroad tracks on Melgaard Road and South Fifth Street. There were no flashing light signals at that time. The authorities believe that I was ejected from the vehicle upon impact of the bumper being jolted by the train. The door of the vehicle had momentarily opened to allow my exit, then slammed shut. While I lay on the railroad tracks, my right arm was severed and I suffered multiple skull fractures and the amputation of three digits on my left hand. I was the most severely injured.

I was flown directly to the hospital in Minneapolis (U of MN) where my right arm was reattached in surgery later that evening. While there, a trach tube was placed, so that I could breathe with a respirator. I remained in a coma for about three months, while at the U of Minnesota. I came home on December 22, 1974, almost four months after the accident. I was still using a feeding tube at that time. I was not able to walk or talk, but I WAS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! There then began a very intensive rehab. I needed to re-learn everything, including one, two, three…and my ABC’s…EVERYTHING! I was, literally, a six-year old infant. I had to learn how to grasp objects with the fingers that I had left, on my left hand. It was essential that I learn to follow instructions. The ability to adjust was a major task (and that continues to this day). In March, 1975, I began to speak. The first year I was tutored at home, in preparation for first grade. I then attended public school from first grade through grade twelve. Only a few Special Education classes were available at that time. School was very difficult for me also as I found it very hard to “fit in”.

But I hung in there, determined to succeed and, after graduating high school in 1987, I attended Courage Center in Golden Valley, MN for thirteen months. This was a transitional period for me. I was very happy when the opportunity arrived for me to come back home. I am currently living independently.