The tire screech tore through the air as a deafening crunch filled the air as metal met metal. My body jolted forward as the seatbelt dug painfully into my chest. In an instant, the windshield spider-webbed with cracks, and shards of glass rained like frozen raindrops. The shattered glass glittered across the pavement, and time seemed almost to stop as I felt the car lurch sideways. The world outside spun violently before the car came to a sudden, jarring stop. My heart was pounding as I gripped the wheel, the jolt of impact still rattling through my body, leaving my hands shaking and ears ringing in the stunned silence that followed. I could not say anything or focus on what had just happened until I heard a faint voice saying, “Julia, are you okay?” After that, we sat in silence, trying to process what had just happened, until we heard the array of loud sirens approaching us.
Today, I want to bring some light onto the car accident that occurred to me, my recovery from it, my future, and why being a safe driver is so essential. This topic is something that I never heard anything about, even though some of my family members have also been in tragic accidents like this. Everything happened so fast, yet the moment seemed to stretch forever. I never thought I would be a part of the 6 million people involved in accidents yearly. With 1.3 million people dying each year in car crashes worldwide. When you break that down, it is 3,700 people who lose their lives in car accidents every day. Later, the emergency responders checked my friend and me out. It was a miracle that we were alive, especially when– not more than a month earlier– a girl from a nearby town had been in the same type of accident and had, sadly, passed away. I ended up with a concussion, a bubble in my neck, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the accident.
The physical and mental issues took a lot of time to heal, with the physical being the easiest. I had to see the trainers every day to heal my brain. I was also there to take care of the mysterious bump on my shoulder. I had to do many exercises, stretches, and icing to care for myself. During this time, I learned how to prepare for sports as my final soccer season was approaching. I was also inquisitive, so I researched the medical information on car accidents and my injuries. After about a month of hard work, my injuries were healed, but my mental state seemed to be slightly ruined. Before the accident, I was going through a massive identity crisis, especially as it pertained to my religion. I did not understand why this horrific accident would happen to me. So, I took a long break from social media and the influence of others to figure out who I was. I later found my identity through Christ, improving my life immensely. My final obstacle was my fear of driving, which took many practice drives in the country. I had a tough time driving past semi trucks and trusting them. One day, I met a truck driver who was so kind and made me feel so calm about driving again. The physical side of healing took only a month, but the mental side took three long, hard months to get back to normal.
This moment could have ruined my entire life or even ended it. I learned how to cope with future problems, become a better driver, and not take advantage of precious time because my life could quickly end. As I was in and out of my therapy sessions, I started to love how the physical therapists worked and how fantastic their job was. This has inspired me to become a physical therapist. I will be attending the University of South Dakota and studying exercise science with the intent to continue in the physical therapy graduate program. I want to make a difference in people's lives by helping them recover and return to everyday life.
Now to talk about the biggest thing I took away from the accident. Being that driving safely is the most important thing ever. You may think driving drunk or being distracted by your excellent little phone is fantastic. But it is cool when you hit a young teenager and end their life. Or is it cool when you're in the back of a cop car because you thought it would be fun to drive recklessly? Ultimately, no text, call, or distraction is worth risking your life or the lives of others on the road. When you drive, you hold the wheel and take responsibility for everyone around you. Stay focused, stay safe, and remember you protect what matters most whenever you drive without distractions.