19 years ago - January 1992

WOW, I can't believe this was 19 years ago.

As you can see, January is not my month for riding in vehicles.

January 23, 1992, @ 1pm, my junior year in high school.
I was the front seat passenger of a brand new red SUV. 

We had skipped out of Debate class to run to Starbucks. 

On the return trip back to the school, I was holding 2 cups of coffee.

The driver was jumping hills for fun and we were traveling 90mph in a 35mph zone. 

We were unable to stop and made contact with a Bronco.
The Bronco carried members of a family that I babysat for.

The father and one twin daughter were in it and yes, they were just fine. 

This is the result. Two totaled, burned vehicles

 Broken femur, two scars

I am not sure I was wearing my seatbelt or not, but I braced myself for the impact with both of my feet on the dash.

Facial abrasions from glass 

This damage was not from the accident impact, it was from being rescued face down through the debris, moving quickly away from the fire.

I had to take crutches to prom night. What an ugly dress, sheesh.

For a few  years, glass continued to find it's way to the surface of my face and I had a few rounds of follow up plastic surgery.  This is when they sanded my face to smooth out the scars.

18 months later (July 1993), I had the steel rod removed from my leg.
The doctors let me keep the metal and I have it as a rememberance, stored away in a box with my journal that I had to keep for the lawyers. 
I can't bring myself to read it though. 
I just can't stomach all those thoughts I wrote down.
There are even bone particles still attached to it.

It was a long 4 year ordeal until settlement, but a good learning experience. 
I don't have any regrets, no blame, and the scars no longer bother me. 
Thank you to my mom for caring for me during that time.