1989 – The Year I Got ‘Bucked Off’!
When I turned 15, as my freshman year of high school was ending in May, I traveled south to Oklahoma with my brother. We spent the rest of the summer driving north combining wheat fields along the way north to Montana in time to return to cut our family’s crop, attend our local fair, and get ready for another year of high school. I would eventually have this summer job for several years which also made me “tough as nails.”
The only female in a combine for miles across America’s heartland, listening to the top country hits, over and over… Alabama, Sawyer Brown, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. This was 1989.
In August, as the job ended in Montana, it was time for me to head back to high school and basketball tryouts. We did not have travel leagues back then so there was never a chance you wouldn’t make the team which was fun. I linked up with my good friends and we all made the various teams and I was eager to help my friends at the local fair with their 4H and FFA projects.
On Thursday, August 23, practice was over and my good friend, Gretchen (she’s named after my Mom!) and I were heading to town so she could sell her grand champion hog at the fair. We were running a bit late and for some reason, I said these words out loud: “Let’s not put our seatbelts on until we get to the interstate and don’t worry about putting your boots on either.”
Because I was used to driving fast in stubble fields of the plains all summer, I had a lead foot. I overcorrected on a slight curve in the gravel county road about 4 miles from home. The car hit an embankment, started to flip and I was ejected onto the gravel road. The car landed on me and continued rolling for another 80 feet. God was with us that day as Gretchen remained in the car and ended up in the driver-side floorboard near the pedals.
She was able to crawl out of the car and come to my side on the gravel road back where the car started to flip. This road does not have traffic except for the occasional neighbor who is heading towards town. As luck would have it, a semi-truck was hauling cattle on the road that day. Gretchen flagged down the driver to stay with me and she ran in her socks to a neighbor’s house which is visible from the county road. Thankfully they were home and were able to comfort Gretchen, call 911, and provide aid to both of us. Mike and Deb - thank you, thank you, thank you.
I remember laying there face down on the gravel. I knew I couldn’t get up. I knew it was around 100 degrees that day yet I was freezing. The truck driver covered me with something to keep me warm. My body was in shock. My injuries were yet to be revealed. I heard the familiar voices of my neighbors. I felt the touch of Gretchen. The next thing I remember hearing is my Mom’s voice. She had been in town and somehow beat the ambulance and the helicopter to the site of the accident. I remember sensing fear in her voice. Next I hear the sirens of the emergency vehicles and hear the whirring of the helicopter blades. Gretchen was loaded into the ambulance and my Mom was able to ride in with her. I was loaded in the helicopter and flown to Billings. I remember the calm words and touch provided by the medi-vac nurse.
My injuries were significant. My left hip was thrust through my pelvis and sitting nicely somewhere inside my stomach area impacting all of my organs. My pelvis was fractured. My tailbone was broken. My nose was broken. My back was in sheer distress. My face and skin were covered with gravel pockets (which would continue working its way out of my body for months after).
I had immediate surgery upon arrival to move my hip back into place and my left leg and hip were put in traction for roughly two weeks. A steel plate was then placed on my pelvis to ensure the fracture would heal properly. My nose was re-set. I had so many visitors, flowers, cards, prayers, and well wishes. It was then that I realized that we are ALL truly connected in the universe. I have never forgotten the kindness from my community and healthcare providers and of course my family. Now that I’m a mother, I can finally understand the impact and agony this caused my mom as she arrived on the scene and was at my bedside every day thereafter.
It was predicted that I wouldn’t walk again given the dramatic sciatic nerve damage which created severe foot drop. I was outfitted with a plastic brace, a walker, crutches, and a wheelchair and sent home to recover. I tortured my brother and mom as I had to be rolled over every 15 minutes for the first few weeks I was home. Justin dressed me for my weekly doctor appointments and even then, I had to have my cowgirl bling and flair to go to town! Sorry Justin! We had multiple wardrobe changes and footwear discussions – even though I could only wear one shoe anyway! He will never let me live this down! I became addicted to pain pills early on in the recovery and thankfully my mom refused to refill the prescription. That solved that.
I went back to school sometime that fall. They had to make all kinds of ADA modifications to ensure I could attend class in a wheelchair. It was a slow integration as I would tire easily. I had a bed set up in the principal’s office if I got tired and would sleep for a bit until the following class period. He and I became really good friends. When I got too tired, Gretchen’s mom, Judy, would pick me up and take me to their house to rest until my mom could pick me up later that day.
I had gone from 100% independence to 100% dependence. I became very close with my teachers, many of whom I still stay in contact with… they were all incredibly patient, loving, and deliberate in making sure my path to healing was educational and sincere. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. ❤️
