A disastrous event that changed our family for ever, because someone was not paying attention while driving!
We were on our way home from shopping on a sunny afternoon on Oct 22, 2017.
My granddaugter, Elizabeth was driving my 2008 , Huyndai. My daughter Deborah was in the passenger front seat. Baby CONNOR, (Elizabth's son ), ( my grt grandson ) age 6 months and I were in the back seat. Connor was in his infant car seat and we all had seat belts on.
We were on state road 47 and had the directional light on to turn left to go to our street . A car which was speeding drove into the trunk of my car , hitting us with a horrible jolt. We all passed out for a short time. When I came too , I could not imagine what had happened. My first thought was about the baby as the initial impact was on his side. I tried to undo the seat belt and could not as my left arm was broken. I finally unhooked it with my rt hand. Connor was in his car seat , his eyes were open , but he did not respond at all when I called his name several times. I began yelling for help for the baby.
Many had stopped to assist all of us. My granddaughter and daughter were still unconscious. People were attending to them. Some men tried to get the back door of the car open and finally were able to prye my side open. They helped me out and took me to a small grassy hill, then they took Connor out in his car seat. I could not see his face . I kept asking how he was and they did not respond. The paramedics came and took him to the ambulance. That was the last time I saw my grt grandson alive.
Elizabeth had a concussion and abrasions and was taken to a near by hospital in Lake City via ambulance. Deborah was shaken up and sustained injuries to her body, head and Rt leg. Her husband drove her to the local hospital. They were treated and later released as they had to go to Gainsville Trama Center to be with Connor and me..
Connor and I were flown by helicopter to Gainsville Trama Ctr. which is an hour away via car. Connor was in critical condition. I had a spinal hemotoma injury , a large hemotoma on the left side of my head and a broken left radius. Connor was admitted to infant ICU where he was eventually put on life support. He succumbed to his injuries on Oct 26. His death was an earth shattering event for all of us!
I had surgery on my lower left arm and a steel rod was inserted. I did not need spinal surgery (Thank goodness). The two hemotoma's eventually were absorbed by my body. The entire left side of my body remained discolored and bruised for many weeks. I came home on Oct 27. I had to have continuous care for a while and OT came to help me regain use of my arm. Connors funeral was on NOV 4 at Hopeful Baptist Church. Everyone united in helping Elizabeth and her husband Micheal, and Coletin, who is Connors brother ,age 7.. The death of any one is hard , BUT with an infant it seems even harder. They have not had a chance to live and experience much of life. God lent Connor to us for a while and then called him to be with him. We have all relived the events of the accident and the unknowing look on Connor's little face still haunts me as does memories of that tragic event. With the help of God , family and friends , we have all moved forward and try to embrace life in a more positive manner. It's hard, especially for Connor's parents, but we all love and support them and by God's grace they will go forward. We managed to celebrate a family Christmas in a positive way and I read "The Night Before Christmas" to all as I usually do. God bless every one!
Mary grace
A post script: The woman who hit us was 22. She states she did not see us. If she had been paying attention she would have seen us. It was a straight road and our turn signal was on. She only had PIP Insurance! Our lives are forever changed and so is hers,
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MY DEAR FRIEND, MAY GOD BLESS YOU, KEEP YOU AND STRENGTHEN YOU MORE AND MORE EACH DAY...IN 'EVERY' WAY! AND AS YOU ARE ENABLED TO 'PRESS ON' PLEASE CONTINUE TO DO WHAT GOD HAS ANOINTED YOU TO DO...TELL THE WORLD OF HIS MAJESTY, POWER AND GLORY THAT SHINES SO BRIGHT IN EVEN THE DARKEST OF NIGHTS. YOU ARE A LIVING, WALKING TESTIMONY AND NOT FOR NAUGHT, MY FRIEND...NOT FOR NAUGHT! MAY THE SPIRIT OF GOD CONTINUOUSLY SURROUND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, MORE AND MORE, EACH AND EVERY DAY OF THE NEW YEAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS SAD BUT SO INSPIRING TRUE STORY OF THE RESULTS OF LOVE AND FAITH IN ALMIGHTY GOD! KEEP PRAYING AND REMEMBER, JESUS IS NEAR...ALWAYS! AN ABUNDANCE OF LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH TO YOU AND YOURS....JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
I am so very sorry for your tragic loss. Those who allow distractions to undermine their driving need to be reading this. Texting or talking on the phone have the potential to be just as lethal as driving while intoxicated. Many blessings to you and your family as you embrace life.
That was a tragic accident for you and your family. I feel better that you were able to survive your injuries and write about it. I'm almost certain that young woman was on her phone, either talking or texting. It is a distraction that young people don't realize that cuts their perception making driving very dangerous. But young people think they can do multiple things at the same time with ease. A recipe for disaster and pain.
You reminded me of my accident three years were I was driving, and, as a result of a rock thrown up by a car in trouble just ahead of me, I overreacted and drove off the interstate into a wooded swamp at over 60 mph. Although my van was severely damaged, the three of us were absolutely unhurt even though my partner slipped out of her seatbelt and landed up against my wheelchair that I was driving from. We were oh so lucky…
Video after the accident… http://ronhullauthor.com/streams/Van-Wreck-10-6-15.m4v
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
We were on our way home from shopping on a sunny afternoon on Oct 22, 2017.
