In a way, yes. I was hit by a drunk/stoned driver on New Years this year, and have been in the hospital and a rehab facility trying to walk on my own again. It's been a slow process from waking up and trying to recover my memory from before the crash, and now trying to regain some or all of my mobility. I'm definitely learning more and more patience every day that I'm here. I'm learning that life doesn't always go the way you expect, but that sometimes that means you just have to slow down and stop taking things for granted. 

Collins:  I was run over by a drunk driver five years ago.  I had to do a lot of rehab, both physical and mental.  It was a long and hard process.

How are you doing???  I am so sorry that you have had to go through this and I am glad you are learning more every day.

My rehab is going slowly, but I'm making good progress. When he hit me, he slammed my car (a Ford Aspire. Tiniest car I've ever been in.) into a pole and it crushed my entire lower body. They said the only bones that weren't broken completely or fractured at all were a few in my toes. I don't remember the moments before or much of the few weeks after I woke up from the coma I was in for 6 weeks, so I'm working with a psychologist to try to recover some lost memories. I'm working on being able to walk without much assistance, or at least get to the point where I can be released from the in-patient rehab facility and start going to daily therapy sessions. I'm supposed to be starting my Master's in biology in late August, and if I can't begin the program then, I have to wait another year. I really don't want to wait until 2011 to start the program so I'm working hard to get out of here in no more than 5 weeks.

Well, I really hope you can start this year.  It sounds like you are in a good program and that's awesome!  I know the help I had, physical and speech therapy, were so important.  My therapist probably helped me the most.  I know I would not be where I am today emotionally and spiritually without my therapists.  I really hope that your healing continues to move forward at a good pace.

To be honest the past year and a half has been hell for me...Pure hell. I went through some things that I thought I would never go through in life...But that phase in my life has taught me 3 things

1. Life is beautiful...no matter what
2. You will find out who your true friends are
3. You can do anything you put your mind to ....no matter how turned around life may seem

Collins - That sounds like a really difficult struggle.  I'm so sorry that happened.  I just don't understand drunk drivers.  And usually they walk away from the accidents while others are hurt terribly or even killed.  I'm sorry.  I hope your therapy continues to go well.  {And that you sued. lol}.

J. Ash - I have to agree with the 3 points you put down.  Especially your second point.  Unfortunately, it is during our darkest struggles where those who love us stick around, and our fair-weather friends suddenly disappear.

As far as my struggles, I can see how they have helped me to grow.  I've seen strength in myself I didn't really know I had.  I've learned to move beyond the hurt and leave it behind.  It's place is in the past, not my present.  I've learned to hold the people I cherish the most, the closest to my heart.  I've learned people's actions betray the words they speak.  Actions will always speak louder than words.  I've learned that your life is what you make of it.  I've learned that positive energy {people, and experiences} strengthen.  I've learned that life is not to be wasted.  That if I want to achieve something, I can. 

JAshley:  I am sorry it's been so challenging!  I definitely know how that goes.  I really do believe everything goes in cycles and your due for an upswing.  I think the lessons you have learned are so true and beautiful!

Sarah:  You are so amazingly strong and I think it's awesome that you've been able to experience your own strength.  Wow!  I agree about the actions betraying words.  E and I were just talking about how talk is cheap and usually the people who talk the most are the most full of it.

I came to realize that no matter how well one plans, sometimes a power greater than ourselves, has other plans.  Sometimes, there are obstacles thrown at us that we never thought we would face.  There are drunk drivers that cause you to get a horrific phone call about a loved one.  There are illnesses that send shock waves through your entire body. 

All through life I've handled challenges head on.  The challenge of leaving my ex husband and going it alone as a single mom was my first real big challenge.  That helped me realize how important my kids were to me and nothing would stop me from fighting for them. 

I've had to face many challenges in life, just as most of us do.  I'm lucky in that I've always had wonderful family and friends which always helps one make it through.  All these challenges have made me even stronger, more determined and more relentless when I need to be. 

Doreen:  You are so right.  We may have plans but guess who's plans rule?  I always have to laugh at myself when I think I am in control.

Oh, HR, you're just too kind.

Doreen - I totally completely agree with you.  I still have to realize that I am not in control.  I've had many experiences that taught me to be grateful for that.  Had I ran my life the way I thought it should go, I probably would have missed out on some pretty amazing experiences.