Four Years Ago

Time flies when you’re having fun, or so they say. Once again, it’s that bittersweet day of the year: May 19th. Some days the accident feels like years ago, whereas other days it feels like just yesterday. It’s a day that not only marks the anniversary of a tragic event but also represents a day to reflect and appreciate everything that’s led me to where I am today. It is also the first anniversary day since the accident that I don’t have my tracheostomy!

Four years ago today, I woke up with no intention of what life had in store for me that afternoon. The severity of a mere dirt bike accident was far greater than anyone could have ever anticipated, including myself. On this day, I started in my hometown, and ended at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan where I gave the greatest fight of my life. I may have been the one undergoing the surgeries and procedures, but the people who were impacted just as much this day were the people who were closest to me, including my family and best friends.

A special quote from my blog post “Two Years Ago:”

I used to think I didn’t have a choice. I thought, “Why did this have to happen to me? I never asked for any of this. And eventually I came to realize, I did have a choice. I chose to step on that motor bike. I may not have understood the consequences of that decision and yet something as simple as deciding whether or not to ride a motor bike happened to be the current most important deciding factor in my entire future. It was the output of a series of spiralling events that eventually became my normal, and it’s crazy to think that if I didn’t make that decision, I would be living a completely different life right now.

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Today is a special reminder to be grateful for all the special people and things in your life. I will never fully be able to express how thankful I am for everyone that have made me smile over the last four years. The people who have always been there for me and the doctors and nurses that have positively impacted my life and helped me recover. My life wouldn’t be the same without them, and thank you to everyone reading this, you’ve made my journey extra special.

This past year, I’ve hit many memorable milestones including, going to high school in person for my final year, my last surgery (#19), playing both high school and travel volleyball again, decannulation, travelling, going swimming for the first time in the ocean, and so much more!

Eternally grateful,

Zoe ❤️