I’m feeling thankful this morning. Today marks 5 years since the car accident that left me with spinal stenosis. I visited the site where the crash happened today for a few minutes of prayer. The driver who hit me was nearly 4 times the legal limit so things could have gone much worse. After 145 appointments, doctors told me I shouldn’t expect to run marathons and should elect for surgery. I had only been a runner for 6 years at this point so this was devastating news. My attorney was clear up front, the most I would see as a settlement would be $65k due to the resources of the driver and Kansas laws. My attorney estimated lifetime medical expenses to be $500k, yet I had already spent nearly $50k in year one. The first year was difficult, some days dragging me to the darkest places I’ve ever been. This is exactly what Satan wanted. But God had a plan, I just needed to trust him and put in the work. I had to escape the dark place and rehab like a relentless savage. It was hard work losing 92 pounds years earlier and I would need to channel that exact same beast mode to make the pain go away. I felt God tell me I would use this experience down the road to help others. I had no idea the plan would turn into opening iCRYO or becoming a certified DDP Yoga instructor. I had no idea the experience would bring me closer to God. Our marriage was tested several times over the first year as I was a very difficult person to live with early on. The pain had no off switch, but the mental toll was worse. Every now and then someone will say, “I’m sorry you went through that”. My response, “I’m not. The pain sucked but I’m not who I am today without the journey.”
I’m not bitter with the guy who hit me, despite a crooked judge only fining him $750 with 6 months probation. The reality is, I used to drive home from bars all the time when I had no business doing so. I’m so blessed those days are so far behind me. I pray for him periodically, including this morning. I hope he’s in a much better place 5 years later, I know I am…. And I give praise and thankfulness to Jesus for that.