Sunday morning, life was good. Leatricia Nguyen, a student at Silver Creek High School, was more than content.
Driving down Berryessa road, she could see the sky slowly lighting up. She soon anticipated the vivid colors and the wonderful day that was to come. Nothing could’ve ruined this day for her. But then all had changed...
This is what it feels like to be a car crash victim
This is Leatricia’s story.
Driving down Berryessa road, she could see the sky slowly lighting up. She soon anticipated the vivid colors and the wonderful day that was to come. Nothing could’ve ruined this day for her. But then all had changed...
This is what it feels like to be a car crash victim
This is Leatricia’s story.
Sunday, August 13, 2017, 5:30 am:
She was the back seat passenger of a grey Honda Civic, getting a ride back home from a friend’s house. She was dozing after deciding that it wouldn't hurt to take a little nap. Then she was woken up by a hard jerk that thrusted her out of her seat making her hit the window and launching her onto the floor.
Everything went dark.
Sunday, August 13, 2017, 6:00 am:
Leatricia was taken to the hospital.
Leatricia was taken to the hospital.
School had already started and now she was told that she had to miss two weeks of it, just because someone decided to drive while intoxicated. Now with a “huge bump on my forehead” She felt nervous coming back to school.
Leatricia still showed the physical effects. She was horrified with the thought of the reaction the other students might give towards the bump on her head and the accident. She wasn’t the person she was when she last left this school.
After two weeks of torment Leatricia was also damaged emotionally, excruciating pain traveling through her body. She didn’t have much motivation left. Her mind seemed like it could never turn off. The question that haunted her every minute of every day:
“What would’ve happened if things didn’t turn out the way they did?“
Leatricia still showed the physical effects. She was horrified with the thought of the reaction the other students might give towards the bump on her head and the accident. She wasn’t the person she was when she last left this school.
After two weeks of torment Leatricia was also damaged emotionally, excruciating pain traveling through her body. She didn’t have much motivation left. Her mind seemed like it could never turn off. The question that haunted her every minute of every day:
“What would’ve happened if things didn’t turn out the way they did?“
What if the crash never happened?
What if she died during the crash?
What if she was barely alive now?
What if...
What if she died during the crash?
What if she was barely alive now?
What if...
A great sadness loomed over her at all times.
She couldn’t help but feel as if this whole situation was her fault, like she did this to herself. If she had left earlier then maybe the accident could’ve been avoided, maybe everyone else in the car wouldn’t have ended up broken. It is her fault that she doesn’t feel pretty anymore, that she is stressed, and that everyone is worrying for her.
When she looked at herself in the mirror for the first time in a week, she couldn’t recognize the person she saw. She didn’t look like she used to, fit, strong, and confident. She looked thin, frail, insecure.
She couldn’t help but feel as if this whole situation was her fault, like she did this to herself. If she had left earlier then maybe the accident could’ve been avoided, maybe everyone else in the car wouldn’t have ended up broken. It is her fault that she doesn’t feel pretty anymore, that she is stressed, and that everyone is worrying for her.
When she looked at herself in the mirror for the first time in a week, she couldn’t recognize the person she saw. She didn’t look like she used to, fit, strong, and confident. She looked thin, frail, insecure.
Monday, August 29, 2017 7:10 am:
Judgement day.
Judgement day.
Heads turned and eyes follow her every move as she walked to her first period. Had she made a good decision coming back to school so soon? The swollen bruises on her forehead had not yet subsided, and everyone kept staring. She felt like they were judging the way she looked and even her decision to get into the car that meaning, it was as if they thought she should have known the accident was going to happen. The feeling of alienation overwhelmed her.
At this point, Leatricia’s story seems like it is going downhill. Fortunately, she was surrounded by people whom she loves dearly. Leatricia learned that life was too short. This near-death scare made her realize that she, anybody, could die at any moment. She was one of the lucky few to survive a terrible car crash. She is getting better and her hopes for those who haven’t, will.
At this point, Leatricia’s story seems like it is going downhill. Fortunately, she was surrounded by people whom she loves dearly. Leatricia learned that life was too short. This near-death scare made her realize that she, anybody, could die at any moment. She was one of the lucky few to survive a terrible car crash. She is getting better and her hopes for those who haven’t, will.