DIVING ACCIDENT-CRUSHING BLOW AND MY MIRACLE

Written & Submitted by: A Survivor who prefers to remain anonymous

Preface: This story was provided to the site by someone who preferred not to have their name published. The story has been written in their own words.

My mother always said I must have been born with an angel on my shoulder. I was born almost three months early. In 1962 there wasn't a whole lot they could do but put you in an incubator and try to keep you alive. After nearly two months, the hospital allowed my parents to take me home.

After a while, it was apparent that I wasn't gaining much weight. The medical staff told my parents to do "the best you can" and see what happens. Needless to say, I did pretty well.

I had breathing difficulties all through my childhood, severe asthma, croup, etc. Many times I was rushed to the hospital to be put in an oxygen tent for about a week at a time. I had pretty much outgrown the asthma by age twelve. That’s when the angel on my shoulder really earned their keep.

In the summer of 1974. I stayed with a family member and their children. School vacation was in full swing and they had a pool. Life was good. The ages of the kids ranged from five years old to thirteen. The older kids watched over the younger ones while the parents were away at work. 

One hot afternoon we came up with the brilliant idea of a "diving contest". I was a good swimmer, but diving was pretty new to me.  The thirteen year old went first and dove in to the four foot above ground pool, managing a perfect dive. I got on the top stair of the ladder, just above the waterline, took a deep breath and dove into the pool.

I remember my head hitting the bottom and thinking "Ouch, I'm going to have a bump”. Almost immediately I felt like a shock wave go through my entire body. I felt myself start to drift upwards to the surface, but I was face down and couldn't turn over. I clearly remember seeing my right arm dangling in front of my face, floating next to my head, but being confused as to why I couldn't move it.

Air was getting short and in my head I was starting to panic because I couldn't hold my breath any longer. I could hear the other kids laughing, thinking I was playing some sort of game. I became very calm at this point and was about to take a deep breath of water when I felt myself being turned over. One of the other kids had turned me over and was holding me up as I floated. I told them I couldn't move and to get help. He held me above the water while another kid went for help. There was a nurse who lived across the street and luckily she was home. She rushed over and put one of those styrofoam floats under me. The ambulance arrived shortly after and took me to the hospital.

I'm sure by now you can guess what had happened. My cervical spine was crushed at level C4-5. I had no movement or feeling from the shoulders down. They told my parents that they weren't sure I would live through the night, much less ever be able to walk or take care of myself.

My brothers and sisters all came to see me, in case I didn't make it. By now I was heavily medicated, and my memory of those first few days is hazy. I do remember being in traction, the bed being turned every two hours to prevent bed sores, and tubes in my nose that hurt.

In the days that followed I was given numerous dye X-rays and they discovered only half my spinal cord was damaged. I was diagnosed with something called Brown-Sequard Syndrome, which is pretty rare.

I spent six months in a rehab hospital, have had two cervical fusions and regained the use of my left side. I had to learn to become a "leftie", and relearn taking care of myself with limited function. Years of physical therapy, numerous surgeries and leg braces got me through my young adult years.

As I get older I have new challenges but that's to be expected.
I survived, I went on to have two children and become a contributing member of society.

If my story can help one person and give hope when it seems hopeless, then you're welcome to it.