I had a
minor panic episode this morning while walking to a doctor’s appointment. I was crossing an intersection when a car
drove by, the driver yelling something at me.
I jumped in fear; my heart constricted and my lungs contracted as a wave
of dizziness washed over me. My body
froze as I stood on the sidewalk waiting to return to a state of
equilibrium.
A crossing-guard noticed my reaction
and asked if I was okay. Without much
forethought or conscious effort, I found myself telling this concerned stranger
all about my accident and my fear. Two
years ago, I was hit by an elderly driver while walking across the street. I was on the crosswalk with two other
pedestrians – the driver drove up onto the median and hit all of us. I was the first person to get hit – my head went
through the windshield, leaving me with a mild traumatic brain injury and a
laceration above my right eye that required 100+ stitches and missed slicing my
eye by less than a millimeter. The
crossing-guard was sympathetic – she listened to the babbling of a stranger
with patience, her face a mirror of empathy.
I explained to the kind woman that
my life at the moment is about balancing my fears – I panic at the sight of
on-coming cars, which leaves me with the option of either panicking while
driving or panicking while walking. A
few months ago, when I was trying to drive again, I was almost hit by another
driver. I came very close to blacking
out from the incident, which has left me with a deep-seated fear of causing a
car accident from my anxieties. At this
point in time, I choose to face my fears while walking. At the very least, I can stand on the
sidewalk until my fear subsides.
In return, the woman told me about
her fear of driving – she was rear-ended last year. Now whenever she sees a car behind her, she
is anxious that she will get hit from behind again. I told her I was sorry to hear about her
accident and we commiserated about Houston traffic. She told me I was strong, which brought me to
the point of tears – I do not feel like a strong woman. We talked for another ten minutes, about life
and marriage and family, before I had to leave to make my doctor’s appointment. I thanked her and said good-bye.
I wish I had given her a hug. Or told her just how much her sympathy meant
to me.
I so sooooooo glad that you found a kindred spirit, just when you needed it most!
ReplyDeleteI have had a few flashbacks lately. I have to admit that I have been kind of relieved that the doctor says I still should be staying home, even though I won't have to have another surgery. Starting to do physical therapy will get me out some, but I have to make sure I am kind to my body.
I want you to know that knowing what you went through, and how strong you are, gives me the strength to keep going when I am crying with frustration because the pain isn't responding to the meds. I tell myself, if PMG can make it through all she did, I can survive a little pain, cabin fever and frustration. I know I am not the only one who is inspired by your example and strength!
Sending you good thoughts and cyber chocolate!
Thanks Julia! And just make sure to be patient - these things take time. :)
DeleteGreat post! Accidents are unpredictable incidents that often finish up in injuring or more individuals who are present at the site. With increased modes of transport, road accidents have increased to a substantial level. Auto accidents are the incidents that involve collisions between vehicles. They can have repercussions as hazardous as death of a person on the mishap site. personal injury lawyer mesa az is also a stranger for you but is more than willing to help you out more than a friend or a family.
ReplyDelete