I was a fourteen year old girl, finally allowed to go to her first party with her friends driving. I don't remember much of that day, but it was March 3, 2007. I spent the majority of the day on the phone with my best friend, at the time, discussing the party we would be going to that night. We were to be picked up at my house by our friend and his older friend who would be driving. Things didn't go as planned and my best friend could not go with us, so I decided I would go without her. One thing I do remember about that night, is that I told my parents I had a ride home when I really didn't. However, I was not worried at all about how I would get home. It was like I subconsciously knew I wouldn't need a ride home.
After spending hours getting ready, my friends came to pick me up. I said goodbye to my parents and got in the backseat of the car. I had only met the guy driving one time before, but my good friend was in the passenger seat. We had to stop at my friend's house to pick up his sister. His other sister did not have a ride to the party, so we decided to take everyone. There ended up being seven of us crammed into a Chevy Impala. The guy driving and my friend were still up front. In the backseat the order from left to right went two girls, me, a guy, and a girl on his lap none of us had seatbelts on. As we were headed to meet everyone else at the grocery store, I remember us girls going back and forth about how cute each other looked. That was the last thing I remember before waking up on the ground which I will get to soon.
According to the police report and witnesses, the driver was going around 100mph on a residential street. He ran a red light and hit a huge dip in the road that caused the car to go airborne. The car hit a telephone pole so hard that the car split in half. The motor part completely separated from the car. The impact caused us four girls to fly out. Two girls landed on the grass and the girl to my left landed on the sidewalk with me on her back. I have no idea how I landed on her, but thanks to her I survived. We flew about 100ft from the car. She sadly died on impact. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will only speak about her death and my injury nobody else's. Just know everyone else is alive and well.
Next thing I remember is waking up to a very bright light and a man asking if I knew what happened. The man informed me that I was in an accident and the ambulance was on its way. I asked him to call my mom and I gave him my home number. My parents arrived on the scene at the same time as the ambulance. I don't remember much during the first few weeks. Throughout that time, I was informed I shattered my C5 vertebrae and was now a quadriplegic. That is how I gained my throne.
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ReplyDeletepowerful impactful story congratulations on your bravery
ReplyDeleteKaylie, you have inspired so many people. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteKaylie, you have inspired so many people. You are amazing!
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ReplyDeleteKaley, you have inspired so many people! You are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a awesome writer. Can't wait to read your first book.
ReplyDeleteWow thats crazy how you landed on her. I read alot of your stuff and it does help me remember to put my seat belt on. Honestly I think about it sometimes when I'm about to go out. Your the only cuadripaligic I know. Thanks for helping me understand somethings that I never thought to think about before.
ReplyDeleteKaley I remember this day like it was yesterday. When I heard the news, I was in class at Washington continuation. I immediately asked to go to the restroom where I cried out of frustration. Knowing that something horrible had just happened to the nicest soul around did a number on me. Years later I still tell your story every time I get in a car with someone not wearing their seatbelt. Thank you for never giving up!
ReplyDeleteWow I am left in a speechless way, I admire you for your growth as a person becuase we need more kind beautiful souls like you.I was impacted from reading your story becuase you never know what the next day of your life be.Thanks for sharing your story and even though this had happen to you you live and prove people wrong that just don't understand, I will keep reading ALL your blogs:)
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