On May 1st 2013, at about 730pm my two cousins (sisters, pictured above) were heading out after supper, to a friends house. They live on a farm, and were driving down a dirt road much like this one, near Salford Ontario. They came to Hwy 19, a two lane highway (one lane each direction), which has a 80km/hr speed limit. In the intersection the car carrying my cousins, was T-boned by another vehicle. My 19 year old cousin was driving. My 16 year old cousin Kate, who was not wearing her seatbelt, was ejected from the car. Kate suffered many broken bones and a bad hit to the head. She was air lifted to the nearest childrens hospital.
Had she been wearing her seatbelt, she likely would have died, but by not wearing her seatbelt, by sheer miracle she survived. Be safe at all times, drive the speed limit, come to a full stop, look both ways (all that stuff that our mothers nagged us about).
Life is fragile, enjoy every minute of it, make every day count. Please wear your seat belt. (Words of wisdom I think everyone has heard from their mom/family).
May 1, 2014. 1 year since the accident. Kate is doing very well. She is still not walking, but is able to use a motorized wheelchair, and transfer herself from bed to chair, toilet and more. She's able to dress and feed herself, and communicates via typing. She's looking forward to being discharged from the hospital later this month. She still has some big goals ahead of her, to walk independently, to talk, and to finish her high school diploma.
May 1, 2020. 7 years since the accident. Kate continues to surprise us. She has been living at home for not quite 5 years now. The first years she was living in hospitals and rehabs(like the Glenrose). She graduated from high school in 2017. She attended a college course where she is now a procurement specialist (shopping). She has been talking for years now. She no longer uses a wheelchair to get around. She uses a walker for short distances, and a motorized scooter thing for longer distances. She went on a Disney cruise with her sister and Mom this past winter. Her next goals are to get a part time job, save up her money, and come out West to visit me. She and her sister have taken up rock wall climbing, Kate uses a full body harness. Kate will be turning 24 later this year.
Words of wisdom; you only have one brain and one back to last you a lifetime. Look after them.
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