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Scared: Girl’s journal reveals life lessons

This story is about a girl named Jane who had her life flash before her. Jane wasn’t very popular, but she had a few close friends. She was always one to lend a helping hand and to participate in school functions and in school work. She also loved outdoor activities and hanging out with her friends, like an average teenage girl would.

One day Jane and her mother were driving home from dance team practice. A drunk driver hit her mom’s car. The driver was immediately killed on impact. Jane’s mother came out fine and walked away with a few scratches and bruises, but Jane, on the other hand, has her life changed…forever.

She has TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury. After being rushed to the hospital, she went into immediate surgery. Jane’s front lobes were swollen, making it hard for her to speak or even think. She has suffered memory loss as well. Her physical therapist has suggested she write a journal. It helps bring back her memory, as well as work on the skills she needs to function again.

Jane went from a normal 13-year-old girl coming home from dance team practice to now not knowing whether she will wake up the next morning.

Here is an excerpt from Jane’s journal:

March 15th

Hello friend. It’s me again, Jane. Physical therapy was tough again today but I guess I’m living through it. More of my friends came today. The girl with the red hair and braces visits me almost every day, which is a relief to know that I’m not forgotten because to me, I am. I want to go home and I want to remember, but I can’t. I just can’t. There are a few things, however, I do remember from that night.

I was with my mom and we were going home from some place. I remember talking about something like how I can’t wait to go to some new store that just opened, or something of that nature. All I know is that it was something new and exciting. Then all the sudden I felt like I was floating in the sky. It was bright and sunny. I just remember trying to find my way out. I kept hearing, “Jane, come back to me. Don’t leave me, Jane come back!” I kept shouting to the voice but somehow it couldn’t hear me.

Then I just woke up, inhaling deeply like I had just fallen through a deep, dark hole that leads to nowhere. I was awake but I couldn’t move or open my eyes. I was trapped. Something happened after that but I don’t remember; it’s blurry to me. I just remember a buzz, a constant buzz. Then it all just went blank. And somehow I’m here today, still living day by day as is my mother. I’m gradually getting better, which at least is a good thing.

I was told the whole incident happened when a drunk driver hit our car. They said that his life was taken and I just think that it could have been me whose life was lost. My life and dreams could have been over. My seat belt and the air bag, simple everyday objects, saved my life. Usually you hear about stories and movies that the super hero saves you at the last minute, but in this case it was my seat belt and air bag that was my super hero. Well, time for my pills, write you back soon!

April 15th (A month later)

Guess what?! I finally get to go outside for the first time in a while. I don’t get to leave and go home, but at least I’m getting closer to getting out of my prison cell. It’s just a walk to some people, but to me it’s like a million dollars.

More people have come to visit me. I finally remember the red haired girl’s name, Maggie. There was a school dance in dedication of me. I was glad to hear from Maggie that they are raising money for families who have been affected the same way my family has been. It truly means a lot to me.

Here is some more I remember from that dreadful night:

A beam of light was coming our way and my mom turned the wheel to get out of the way and we hit the median. The driver was directly in the middle of the road so he hit us anyway. Even though the airbag popped on, I still hit my head (this is probably why I am suffering brain damage). I can remember the driver’s face, nearly passed out and in fear. Then I remember hearing sirens. I couldn’t move and felt like I was burning. The nice men were pushing tree branches and trying to remove me from the car.

When I was set on the gurney, I remember trying to tell the nice men to get me off, that I was going to be fine, and that everything will turn back to normal. For some reason, I couldn’t open my mouth or move. They couldn’t hear me either, and then more buzzing occurred. The words “Jane come back to me. Jane please don’t leave me, please” occurred again. Then I went into surgery. The only thing after that I remember is when I woke up. I felt like I was floating among the stars.

Well it’s time for my walk! Wish me luck!!!

P.S. Maggie said this guy named Jason really wants to meet me. I’ll give you more info about that in tomorrow’s entry.

This has been an excerpt from Jane’s journal. I hope this has inspired you to not take your life for granted. Some people pray they could just be able to go outside, have a home cooked meal in their home, or even be able to lie in their own bed in their room. Eventually Jane will be able to do these things, but some people are unfortunate and aren’t able to. So live each day to the fullest and give thanks for the little things, because maybe someday your life will be changed…forever.

Editor’s note: Each issue of The Peorian includes an original story written by a local student from either elementary, middle or high school or college. By presenting students the opportunity to have their work published may help them gain self-confidence and inspire them to continue writing.

This edition’s student story was written by Andrea Meier, a freshman at Richwoods High School. She wrote the story last year while at Von Stueben Middle School and it was selected the top Young Author story for the school.