An Accident That Changed My Life

I was only five, but I can remember it like it was yesterday down to the last detail. I remember the clothes I was wearing, the terrible sounds that it made, the screams and cries.

We were on a trip across the country (Canada). My mom was driving the whole family out to British Columbia to visit my Grandma. She had lost my dad to a heart attack a couple of years before. I barely remember him. The trip would take several days. I don't remember much about the trip except the mountains and a zoo we visited. Travelling with us were my two brothers, two sisters, and my sister‘s husband and my mom. I was the youngest. My brother closest to my age was nine years older than me.

I was asleep when it happened. Apparently my mom lost control on the gravel shoulder going at a high speed. I woke up to the sound of dishes breaking, metal bending, and screaming. The sound was indescribable. Everything was spinning as my head was bouncing from one side of the van to another. No one was wearing seat belts. I lost consciousness.

I woke up on the highway and stood up. (I had been thrown out of the van) I looked down at my body and was covered in blood. I remember being confused because I couldn't feel anything except that my chin hurt. I was upset because my shoes were missing. I looked over and saw one of my sisters sitting in the ditch with blood all over her white blouse. She was crying. I went to her. She held me. I remember a blond lady in a red sports car stopping and running over to us. She told us to sit in her car until help arrived.

We rode to the hospital in a police car. My brother was making a terrible gasping sound in the back seat. I think he had punctured his lung. Also with us was my brother in law and my sister. We didn't go to the hospital in an ambulance because of the other more serious injuries.

At the hospital I remember being put on a gurney and my clothes being cut from my body. I hated the feeling of feeling so exposed and naked in front...