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WHEEL WORLD NEWS
January 2018
I grew up in upstate NY, born to awesome parents. We lived on a farm my whole life were we raised cattle, horses, pigs and most any other type of critter you can think of. I met my hubby Jon in August 1993, fell in love and married December 31, 1993. Talk about a whirl wind romance! We have lived in Phoenix since November 1999 when Jon was transferred here with the US Air Force. He retired after 20 years right after 9/11. I've worked various jobs in my lifetime from cashiering to reading aide to making caramel apples. Jon and I just celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. Fifteen of those twenty four years I have been in a chair.
For those who may or may not know, I was injured November 10, 2002 in a hit and run motorcycle accident on I-17 between 7th St and 7th Ave. My husband Jon and our 6 year old son Jayson, were also on the bike. Someone went to change lanes, hit our bike, drove us into the wall and I flew off. Sadly, they kept going. When I hit the pavement, my helmet flew off and I skid for about 50-75 ft. and sustained a T-12 incomplete fracture of my spine along with 6 broken ribs, one lung punctured and one collapsed. I also broke my pelvis, shoulder blade and had a compound fracture of my left arm, which I now have a gnarly scar from along with 9 screws and plate! It’s pretty cool to hold a magnet up to it! LOL. It also makes a great conversation piece and fun to go thru metal detectors! My left thigh had a gaping hole, and numerous other abrasions. To say the least- I was a hot mess!! (Some say I still am!) After spending 3 weeks in a drug induced coma, I woke up and learned I was paralyzed from the waist down. Let the fun begin! PT/OT, frustration, tears, rebellion, aches, pains, infections, bowel/bladder care, and pressure sores. Welcome to my new normal!
I have been working at the AZ Spinal Cord Injury Association since December 2011 and LOVE it. I have finally found my nitch in life! Giving back to those who have been affected by a spinal cord injury.
In our past time, we enjoy camping, digital photography, genealogy, playing cards, board games and spending time with my family. I've been given so many opportunities since being in a chair, from working on the Mayors Commission for Disability Issues to Chase Field Survey Committee as well as meeting celebrities at various events: fund raisers, baseball practice, movie premieres and more. You never know where I will show up!
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