Essay 1: The Car Accident
My life could have ended on July 22nd, 2008. The day started out well enough, and the weather was pleasant that day. It was sunny, but not hot. I had spent a great night at my friend Aletheia's house in Moorpark, and had a pleasant morning together with her family and fiancée Paul. The plan was to go to Oxnard for job applications with her and her fiancée. Paul was new to California, and planning to move to Oxnard, where I live.
Paul had to get some work done on his car before we could go scavenging for possible jobs. So, we set off in search of a mechanic near where he intended to live. We were lucky enough to find a mechanic off of Wooley Road near a fast food place. We ended up ordering food while we waited.
After we picked up Paul's car, we headed toward five-points. We intended to go to the new shopping center on A and B Street. I remember there being heavy traffic on Oxnard Boulevard. In order to get to the plaza, we needed to turn left on Seventh Street. Paul was driving, and had to make the decision on when to go. He began his turn, and we saw a large pick up truck speed up to beat us. I remember thinking, "We're going to be hit." I felt my body go slack and my mind peaceful, and then everything was black. When I finally came to, I saw smoke and smelled something funny. There was a fleeting moment of intense pain.
The car had been knocked to the front of the Golden Chicken Inn on the Boulevard. I remember Aletheia noticing her door was smashed in. She and Paul had to crawl out of the driver's side. I remember saying, "let me out. Let me out," because I couldn't get the seat up to get out of the small two door car. When we had all emerged, police and a bystander helped us get to the wall so we could sit down. I remember thinking I had gone into shock, because I couldn't feel much pain, and I remembered the sharp pain from inside the car.
While we were on the wall I began to think of how I came to from the blackout. I was in a different location in the car. My seat belt wasn't secure, because it had opened. It turned out that I had wounds on both sides of my body. I think I had hit both sides of the car when we had been hit. Shortly after, I spat out pieces of one of my teeth and some blood.
Aletheia asked me to take pictures of the car for the insurance, and I did. The car itself was totally smashed. The passenger side of the car was completely indented in. I remember feeling really bad for Paul. He just lost his car. What a way to get welcomed to California. The ambulance finally arrived and took all three of us to St. John's Hospital in Oxnard.
When we got there they put Aletheia in a wheelchair and wheeled her into the hospital. They asked me if I wanted one, but I said no. I was worried about Aletheia. Luckily, Paul was able to walk away with only bruising and a few minor cuts. We quizzed each other on names and personal information, so we could make sure we were still in possession of our memories. Aletheia was unable to recall a few things, but Paul and I were okay. She said she thought she had a concussion and was in shock. I told her I thought I was in the same condition.
I was then put in charge of calling everyone that needed to be called. I informed Aletheia's parents and they were going to come out right away. I was able to reach my mom at work, but told her to stay, and that I'd call my friend Margaret and my grandmother. Margaret and her mom were going to come immediately and my grandmother would get there when she could.
Aletheia was the first to give her information and go into triage. Paul went with her. Margaret arrived shortly after with her mom, and I went to give my information. While I was waiting, I limped down to the gift store and bought Aletheia, Margaret and I some stuffed animals. I bought Margaret a pig, Aletheia a giraffe, and myself a lamb. I was finally called back into triage. Margaret accompanied me. The doctor I received seemed angry. I had asked Margaret to help me communicate because my head was hurting badly. When she tried the doctor snapped at her. I told her about my headache and that Margaret was helping on my request. She wasn't very sympathetic.
After giving me the once over the doctor told me I had bruising and an indentation on my right leg. I told her I thought I was in shock and might have a concussion. She blew me off because I was too "lucid." I later found out that I had cracked ribs and a concussion. As you can imagine, I wasn't very happy. Untreated concussions can end up doing some real damage. I was lucky that mine didn't.
When the doctor was done and we were on the way out, we saw Aletheia. She told us she had bad bruising and a fractured left foot and a concussion. I was so worried about her. The doctor had even told her she was lucky the seat belt hadn't snapped her spine. She left with Paul and her parents. And, I left with my grandmother.
My grandmother took me home with her until I could get picked up by my mom. By the time I got to my home the shock had worn off, and I was in real pain. Unfortunately, I keep my mattress on the floor, so getting up and down on it hurt a great deal. Mornings were the worst.
But the day took a toll on more than my physical body – the depression I had battled with became worse. Some days I was grateful, others were spent saying, "Why didn't I just die?" But, I did live, and I have since started school, as well as a blog. I have found things to help me through, including a few really wonderful friends.
The weeks after the accident were spent with me trying to prove that I was okay. I didn't want anyone to know how hard it was on me. I resisted pity and even did dishes. A few times I hurt my ribs doing stuff around the house. I should have just rested. To this day the ribs on the left side of my body are very sensitive. I can't sleep on the left side for extended periods of time, or I will wake up sore.
Cars terrified me for a long time after the accident. I would start shaking, and clench on to things while on the road. After a few months, I became much more comfortable on the road. I even have my license now, and I really enjoy driving. The accident had an effect on my life, but I was lucky enough to escape with very little damage. I am lucky to be here. All three of us are lucky to be here.
