A Year After The Almost Fatal Car Accident

A Year After The Almost Fatal Car Accident

Time goes by fast whether we notice or not
Kelsey Hoffman
Kelsey Hoffman Sep 4, 2017
70
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They say time passes, but the trauma doesn't always fade. A year ago my life changed forever, a crazy story of real events that my brain blocked out. I wasn't driving a year ago on September 4, 2016, but sometimes when I turn left or I'm a passenger while the driver takes a left turn I get flash backs and/or my heartbeat speeds up. I do not know if this will ever go away, considering I did not see the accident nor do I remember anything that happened during the accident, it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.

I sit here a year later avoiding driving this labor day weekend. It might just be the fear of the reality that this holiday weekend changed my life forever last year. The bruises have faded but the scars remain on my hips and in my mind. I can walk normally and I can sleep on my sides once again. I notice more pain in my right hip, which was badly injured in the accident, after sleeping on it all night. Other than that my physical body has healed.

Though my life is now different in several ways. Since I have had a concussion since the accident, today now marks a year of daily headaches. I have been taking medication to help mellow them a bit more and it seems to help just a little. I avoid going to the movie theater and only go to concerts every so often. I had to give up soccer and all contact sports. A part of me that I never dreamed I would have to give up.

My exercise has been affected in that I am not allowed to weight lift, as an athlete not being allowed to hit the gym pulls me behind all my teammates and my opponents. For Track and Field purposes my head generally has a migraine episode when I try to get to the end of a workout. Which once I get a migraine while I am working out I have to stop immediately. Not exactly the best situation for a collegiate athlete. How am I to excel in my sport if I can't even finish a practice.

School is more difficult with the concentration aspect but I have had a year to work through it and change my routine. I know writing papers takes longer because of my light sensitivity, especially with screens. Though I struggle remembering things I need to memorize for tests I make it through. I may not be able to get the grades I was once able to I do not let any of this stop me.

The headaches and migraines come and go, when I am feeling good I try to hop back on the saddle and go about my day as I once would. The thing is though that I have a lot to be thankful for. My life may have changed and I can have a hard time driving with other people and I may never go back to where the accident happened. But none of that matters considering what the alternative of that day could've been.

Yes, I am lucky to be alive. Yes, I am thankful for my life no matter how difficult it gets. Yes, I will survive because I am an overcomer.

Cover Image Credit: Kelsey Hoffman
Kelsey Hoffman
Kelsey Hoffman Sep 4, 2017
At Eastern University

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A list Of 15 Inspiring Words That Mean So Much

A single word can mean a lot.
Naadia Ali-Yallah
Naadia Ali-Yallah May 22, 2016
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Positivity is so important in life. A lot of times we always go to quotes for empowerment but I have realized that just one word can be just as powerful. Here is a list of inspiring words.

1. Worthy

Realizing your self-worth is important. Self-worth can really make or break a persons personality. Always know that you are worthy of respect. And also, never compare yourself to others.

2. Courage

Be courageous in life. Life has so many opportunities so do not be scared to grasp any opportunity that comes your way. You have the ability to do anything you have your heart and mind set to do, even the things that frighten you.

3. Enough

When you are feeling down and feeling that nothing you do is ever good enough, know that you are more than enough. And yes there is always room for improvement but when it comes to my self-worth I always have to remind myself that I am enough.

4. Blessed

Be thankful. A lot of times we forget how blessed we are. We focus so much on stress and the bad things that are going on in our lives that we tend to forget all of the beautiful things we have in life.

5. Focus

Focus on your goals, focus on positive things, and focus on the ones you love. Do not focus on things that will keep you from not reaching your goals and people that do not have good intentions for your life.

6. Laugh

Laughing is one of the best forms of medicine. Life is truly better with laughter.

7. Warrior

Through the good and the bad you are a warrior. Be strong, soldier.

8. Seek

Seek new things. Allow yourself to grow in life. Do not just be stuck.

9. Faith

During the bad times, no matter the circumstances, have faith that everything will be all right.

10. Live

Start living because life is honestly way too short. Live life the way you want to live. Do not let anyone try to control you.

11. Enjoy

Enjoy everything that life has to offer. Enjoy even the littlest of things because, as I said before, life is short. And plus, there is no time to live life with regrets.

12. Believe

Believe in yourself and never stop. Believing in yourself brings so many blessings and opportunities in your life.

13. Serendipity

A lot of times we look for things to fill an empty void that we have. Usually what we are looking for comes when we are not looking at all. Your serendipity will come.

14. Create

Share your ideas with the world. Creativity brings change to your life. However you chose to use your creativity do not be scared to show your intelligence, talent, and passion.

15. Love

The world is already full of so much hate, so love unconditionally with all your heart.

Cover Image Credit: Tanveer Naseer
Naadia Ali-Yallah
Naadia Ali-Yallah May 22, 2016
At Georgia State University

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Dear College Kids, Contact Your Legislators

Finding your political voice can seem daunting but it's important to realize that our legislators are just normal people who happen to work for us in government.

Kaylynn Wake
Kaylynn Wake May 20, 2019
13
views

As we come to the end of another legislative session, it's important to reflect on all of the good that has happened but also the things that need work on. After entering college, my political voice and passion have only increased.

I definitely cared about politics in high school but after entering college and finding a group that helped me find a community gave me more courage to speak up about the things that I care about.

There is such power in a community. And that is something that I never realized that I was missing until I had it. I completely understand how daunting it can seem to start getting politically vocal.

Especially if you have unpopular or controversial opinions. As someone who grew up in an extremely conservative region, it took me a long time to feel comfortable and confident standing in my beliefs which largely align with the left. But the only thing that I can tell you is that your minor discomfort and fear is so worth it.

I remember being nervous to display that first planned parenthood pin, not to mention that first nerve-wracking call to a legislator. But I can tell you from first-hand experience that it is not nearly as scary as it appears. It is easy to see our legislators as people standing on pedestals that are so far detached from our reality.

But the reality is that our legislators are normal people. They are mothers, fathers, carpenters, activists, and from a million other walks of life. And it truly helps to change your perspective when you contact your representatives. It helps you to feel more comfortable around them and it helps to prove that our legislators are everyday people.

They are everyday people with power only granted to them by us. Our legislators work directly for their constituents. And so even if your legislators have polar opposite opinions to yours, it is still imperative that we voice our opinions.

How are our legislators supposed to know that their constituents care about reproductive healthcare, comprehensive sex education, LGBTQ+ protections, and so many other issues that directly affect our daily lives?

I cannot stress enough just how important these seemingly small steps of action are. Call your legislator. Email them about an issue you care about. If you have the chance, attend a lobby day about an issue that you feel passionately about.

In our society, it's easy to view people in power as distant and out of reach but we cannot forget that the United States was founded on the rule of the people by the people. So people, call your legislators.

Kaylynn Wake
Kaylynn Wake May 20, 2019
At Missouri State University

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