A Tragic Accident Changed My Life
lisatarkingtonAlyssa’s Story on the #SheBelievedSheCould series
The phrase “She believed she could, so she did” has always been one of my favorites when it comes to women’s encouragement but one of the most significant moments in life that made me truly felt connected to the phrase is on June 6, 2015 to be super specific.
Since that exact day and the events that happened in the months after that day to the milestones I reach as the years go on is the reason this phrase hits super close to the heart for me.
The Event
On June 6, 2015 [over 3 years ago] I was in a major car accident. To be completely honest the only thing I remember from that day specifically is bits and pieces because I was unconscious for a majority of this day. However, I can tell you what I do remember and what other people have told me since regarding this accident.
It was pretty early in the morning and I was on my way to work. I had just left my boyfriend’s home (now husband) which is a normal routine on a Saturday. All I remember from that day is driving down the driveway the sun was shining in my eyes and my exact thoughts where “the weather is nice, it is probably going to be a good day today”.
That is a prime example of you will never know what your day will truly bring even if you have it all planned out.
From what I am told, my accident started with me driving down this road in the country to go to work. A young driver behind me was late for work and started to pass me before realizing it was a no passing zone. Once he realized he wasn’t able to pass he tried to get back in the lane he was in behind me. However he ended up hitting the side of my car with my gas tank on it sending me flipping multiple times and finally landing upside down in a ravine.
Thankfully during this whole accident I was unconscious because I had smashed my face against the steering wheel knocking me out.
After all of that happened I spent the next hour sitting in my car upside down while my car was leaking gasoline out of the tank it made its way to my driver’s seat. I suffered from chemical burns all the way down my back, thigh and butt area. After that a passerby found me called the police and from that point I remember waking up in the ambulance thinking it was all a dream.
This accident brought me weeks in the University of Michigan burn unit, one surgery and 6 months to heal physically fully and a life time of PTSD and anxiety while driving.
The Silver Lining | She Believed She Could
Now you may be asking where the silver lining is within all of this and I will tell you it is because I believed I could move forward.
This was a very tragic time in my life. To this day I still have a really hard time thinking about it and talking about it. When you are in a position where it is 100% up to you to survive, to heal and to concur what has happened, you have no other option but to believe in yourself.
You have to take every ounce of energy you have to left to heal emotionally, physically and mentally.
Believing in yourself can make such a difference in your attitude, growth and strength all around. That is completely empowering!
I know that believing in myself and not letting my circumstance drag me down, was the difference from others.
Eventually I was able to leave the burn unit.
I was able to walk normally around the hospital in just three days; I was able to leave the hospital and go home in one week; I was able to have completely healed wounds in a month; I was able to go back to work in a month and a half; And I was able to realize my strength during this whole process.
I believed in myself more then I ever have in my entire life. During that time at the hospital anyone that met me told me that I should have been dead from accident because it was so bad. However, the best part was I didn’t instead in front of everyone I got to showcase that if you believe in yourself anything is possible.
“She believed she could so she did”
This is a phrase I truly believer we all have to remember and keep close to us because I am living evidence that if you truly believe in yourself anything is possible.
I really learned my strength during this time. Now whenever I even have the slightest doubt in myself I remember what I went through and the power I have in myself to just believe in myself when things don’t seem nearly as impossible.
Please remember, you are strong, you are brave and if you believe in yourself anything truly possible.
About contributor writer Alyssa Evans: My name is Alyssa Evans, i am 25 years old and i live in a small town with my husband and our two cats. I have a full time office job and i love hanging out with my little family and spending time outside and writing.
