Jennell from Michigan

This story begins in 2005. Being a very active girl I joined track & field and ran cross country, did journalism as the coeditor, staff writer and photojournalist, I was in the drama club, choir as a soprano, a compact ambassador, student council, JROTC, as well as other stuff. I graduated 9th in my high school class and joined the Army Reserves and was soon one of the favorites of my Drill Sgts. I was deemed marksmanship the first night we had to go down to the range, and the first girl to zero my rifle. I gained a 4 year scholarship for joining the Army Reserves and completing everything. I also applied for the 4 year ROTC scholarship at the University of Michigan in Dearborn. I was accepted at the school, as well as the scholarship. On July 11, 2006 I was in a fatal pedestrian accident.  I was soon placed in a coma for 6 months. In the hospitals I was administered to; I was given a nickname; they named me Sleeping Beauty. Six months later I awoke from my slumber December 23, 2006. As soon as I woke up I couldn't walk, talk, eat or breath on my own. I was basically immobilized in my bed, I laid there bored as ever, with nothing to do but sleep. Soon the tubes placed inside of my body were slowly making their way out. First to go was the Catheter. Second was the feeding tube. Third was the Trach in my throat which was preventing me from talking. My dad took it upon himself to discover a way of communication with me. He bought a wireless keyboard and since my bedroom at the time was the living room I was very close to the computer. I remembered how to spell each word, only problem was my vision I couldn't see what I was typing so they had to make the text font 40 in bold so I could see. All the while I worked to get out of the bed and made it to a wheelchair so that I could soon go to therapy outside my home and meet new people other then my family. Since the closest facility was full, I had to attend the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan in Novi, MI. I received a full days worth of therapy at that time, in 2007 I was undergoing physical, occupational, recreational, social work, and speech. I was there from 8 am to 3 pm; my mother called it a job. Now I've been discharged from mostly everything, the rec therapist kept me in the T.A.G. group on Mondays because its a fun activities group, and she knows how active I was in high school. Now therapy is shortened, I volunteer and have fewer doctor appointments then I did when I first woke up. I've written a book, I make friends with everyone I meet, go to church often, and smile everyday. I've always been positive and people I hardly even know call me an inspiration, as well as a miracle. I admit I struggled with depression when I first woke up because I did nothing all day but sleep and that’s not me; obviously it did not last long. I talked to God everyday and forced myself to get out of that bed, out of that house and out of that lifestyle. I'm continuously doing better and making smarter and wiser decisions. I know that eventually I'll be completely happy when I'm independent and taking care of myself. I know if I can make it this far to be talking, walking, eating and breathing properly in only 2 years and 4 months of becoming physically and mentally stable, or at least better then where I began, then I can continue with my progress. That’s why my book is entitled Time will Tell.