We all travel many roads on our journeys through life, some are
smooth and some are rocky. At times, we wonder where the roads
are leading. We feel lost and have doubts we will ever reach
our destiny. Yet, no matter how many obstacles are placed in our
paths, we somehow find the courage to keep going.
In my autobiography, I have taken a tragic event and tried to
use it to spread a message of hope. My story is unique because I
am the only person on record to ever survive my type of broken
neck. I have been as open and honest as possible, sharing my
thoughts and my coping strategies. My story will make you
laugh and cry, but most of all, it will show you that
devastating events can be overcome. It is my hope that you will
read my book, and that you will come away with a feeling of
peace and a sense of wonder.
A graduate of Seton Hall University, I have written many
poems and a few children's books. I have been published in the
National Library of Poetry, the Farmers' Almanac, and the local
newspaper. Currently, I live in New Jersey with my parents.
The evening was progressing nicely, and we were all having fun.
Debbie spent most of her time on the ski slope, while the rest of
us stayed primarily on the hill designated for sledding and
tobogganing. At approximately ten P.M. that night, my mom
decided we all had enough and it was time to go home. Everyone
else was tired but I wanted to go down the slope one more time.
My sister agreed to take me. Debbie and I walked up the hill for
the last time. When we reached the top, there were still plenty
of people in the park, and there had not yet been any sign of
closing.
The two of us started down the slope on our toboggan, but when we
were about one third of the way down, the lights flickered off
and on. The public address system had been out of order, and
this was managements way of indicating that it was time for
people to leave. Surprised by the momentary darkness, we
screamed frantically at the people on the hill to move out of our
way. We then slid on a patch of ice, veered, and crashed into a
split rail fence. Debbie and I were both knocked off our
toboggan, and since I was sitting at the front of it, I slammed
in to the fence with full force, and my neck snapped.
While waiting at the bottom of the hill, my mom was beginning to
wonder what happened. Then she heard Debbie utter a very week
cry for help, and immediately became fearful. She began
screaming, and my brother instantly ran for help. Soon a crowd
of people gathered to see what was wrong. By the time anyone
reached me, my skin had already turned as blue as a pair of
jeans. An evening of fun was turning into a night of horror.
Fortunately, one of the individuals who had arrived on the scene
was a ski instructor employed by the park. He had been preparing
to leave when he received our frantic call for help, and he
rushed to my side. Ironically, he had just completed an
intensive course to recertify himself in first aid. He began
administering mouth to mouth resuscitation on the spot. At the
same time, a rescue squad was summoned, and spectators were told
to clear the way.
When the ambulance finally arrived, it did not contain an oxygen
tank or any other life saving equipment. Apparently, the person
who had called for emergency services had neglected to mention
the severity of the accident which had taken place. Because of
this, the ski instructor rode to the hospital with me so that he
could repeat the C P R procedure if necessary, and it was,
because my heart stopped four more times. Debbie and I were
rushed to St. Peter's Medical Center in New Brunswick, New
Jersey.