A friend of Barbara Sandusky's shares her story. I wrote about her last year, in a story entitled "Learning To Live Again (With a Devastating Disability)".
Remember me?
If not, let me refresh your memory.
My name is Pippa Yancey, and I just turned 14 a few months back. I have just gotten out of the rehabilitation hospital, which had been my home for YEARS, it seemed like. I was injured when a car struck me. It left me severely injured, and because of it, I am now forever paralyzed from the neck down. I will need to be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, and I will never walk again..EVER.
I had to sell my beloved horse, "Blaze", whom I loved riding as much as possible. That about broke my heart because I had had her since I was just seven years old, and she became one of my best (nonhuman) friends. I also had to give up many of my extracurricular activities, and I now spend many a day in my room, trying to get some semblence back of my life.
Thank GOD my mom has been right by my side through all of this; but she has had to put up with my moods; and let's face it: I had been a regular BITCH. Wouldn't you, if you suddenly became paralyzed, and it was nothing that could be stopped? I still find it hard to forgive that guy who hit me (he was drunk when he hit me), and I wonder if he is happy, knowing he changed the life of a teenaged girl forever (MINE). My little brother, Timmy (he'll be three in a week), has been getting used to the fact that "Sissy" no longer walks, but rides in a chair to get around, and he no longer seems so afraid of it. He is still rather leery about it, though; I think he thinks that I may run over him by accident!
My dad, on the other hand, has only seen me a few times since the accident because his job prevents him from seeing me or getting to Tennessee (my mom and dad are divorced), and I really wish he could spend more time with Timmy or me. Still, he DOES write, and he DOES call every week, so I guess that is okay. Still, I WOULD love to see him or have him hold me in his arms, like he used to do when I was a little girl!
As for Hannah, she has had it the hardest. She still can't accept the fact that I am now in a wheelchair, and sometimes she gets mad at me and tells me she wishes the old Pippa would come back, because she hates my not being able to walk or needing a lot of extra help in doing things. Hannah is now seven, and she is so emotional right now. I tell her that just because I am now in a wheelchair or am paralyzed doesn't mean that I don't love her any less, and that isn't going to stop me from loving her. (Somehow, even despite all my pep talks with her, she still isn't convinced.)
My friend, Barbara Sandusky (she is older than me by three months; her birthday is in March, and mine is in June), has had a hard time of it, too, but she has been lifting me in prayer, and she regularly wrote me to let me know what was new, and she has seen me a few times when I was at the rehab place, undergoing therapy. I guess she somehow feels it is her fault that I was paralyzed, but I tell her that is silly, and I tell her that my being paralyzed isn't going to change our friendship.
After all, Jesus got me through the bad days, and even though I may still face many a bad day as I continue to recover, He will always be there, and I can always count on Him to help me through those bad days! I also have my family, and friends like Barbara, and for that I am eternally grateful!! :)
Yes Karen we are grateful for the friends we have...just hink how lonely Pippa would of been with no body loving her...And the love Of God...will take us through bad times!!
A page-turning novel about a relationship between best friends that is interrupted because of betrayal , deceit, sexual promiscuity and pregnancy happens!
