MVA Survived Mva - Fractured Neck/halo Brace

[wannabeamermaid]

Hello. Two years ago, I was in a motor vehicle accident at the age of 24. I was the front passenger on my way to therapy for treating a pre-existing anxiety disorder (OCD). An elderly man pulled out in front of us turning when we had a green light. We hit him at 50 MPH. There was no time to brake. He received a ticket for being at fault and making an illegal turn. A passenger in his car had a broken leg, but I broke my neck. I broke the second vertebrae in my cervical spine, and the transverse foramen (another part of the C2 vertebrae). I had to be fitted into a halo brace for three months, and spent five days in the hospital. The trauma team seemed surprised that I survived without permanent neurological injury. They all called me a miracle, and said that God must have been with us that day.

It has been two years, and I rarely leave my house. I only leave if I absolutely have to. I was getting better, but then somebody almost t-boned my door and it re triggered everything. My mom sped up to avoid them, but she had to pull over because I was crying so much and felt like I couldn't breathe and broke out in hives. My sister vomited from seeing me so upset.

Just wanted to share my story. I don't want to be so reclusive, but I am too terrified to be in a car. The road doesn't feel safe to me. I tried sitting in the backseat with an eye mask on, but I'm tense the entire time and so terrified that I'm going to be hurt again - or die. People have been so bold as to tell me that I need to "get over it". I want to try seeking therapy for it, but I am afraid because my accident happened while on my way to therapy for my anxiety disorder. No distance seems safe to me. I was only two miles from my destination when I was injured.

 

[Biz]

Hi wannabemermaid. I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Imagining being in a halo makes me feel tense already. I'm glad you recovered fully. It sounds like you have a lot of dissonance about seeking treatment, and your ending of this post is that no distance close would seem safe for therapy. Even walking distance?? My last psych was a 20 minute walk from my place. I think something will have to give with your want to seek therapy and your fear in driving/getting there, but that may take time.

 

[Nikie]

I can not stand it if people say get over it urghhh as if it is that easy !!! Good luck in your recovery . it's not easy, skills on how to cope with these type of trouma feels like it rarely exist . ((((hugggss)))

 

[NicolenJaz]

Hi wannabemermaid- if you're unable to find a therapist within walking distance (which is a great suggestion!), maybe you could even find someone who would be able/willing to counsel you over the phone or even Skype? I know it's not ideal - face-to-face interaction might be necessary for at least your first visit or two. I am sorry that this happened to you. I can relate to being in close calls after my horrific auto accident, and how it can tear down all of the progress that you have made - it feels like you're starting the process of healing all over again. I had a close call with a driver crossing the double line recently, which is the same scenario that caused a head-on collision and landed me in the hospital for 1 month... It set me back so far, but luckily my therapist was very willing to help me cope with it by phone sessions (I was too afraid to drive to her office). Fortunately my current therapist is good at counseling over the phone - my previous therapist was terrible at it. It may take you some time to find the right fit, so don't get discouraged if you have to talk to a few different people... and hopefully with enough good sessions, you will be on a path to the peace that you deserve. Best of luck to you.