There was nothing out of the ordinary about Monday January 28th, however before the end of that day I would encounter a multitude of kind and caring strangers. It was a snowy evening and I was on my way to pick up my son from his mothers house. The roads were slippery and snow-covered so I was traveling about 30mph. My SUV was handling the conditions reasonably when suddenly the SUV started to veer to the left. I was unsuccessful in correcting the slide and slid across the road into a rather deep ditch.
My car entered the ditch almost head on. The next few minutes are fuzzy because my car flipped over and I was left hanging upside down with my face against the roof by the visor. When I was able to get my wits about me I realized that I was upside down and could not see anything. I started to access the situation and realized two things. First I needed help to get out of the car. Second I needed to let my loved ones know that I was probably all right but would be late.
I was able to reach my cell phone in my coat pocket and call 911. There was a problem however, was not sure of the name of the road I was driving on and could not remember the last cross street. I called 911 and started taking to the operator. I was vague on my location and tried to describe the road I was on when I went into the ditch. The operator was patient and listened to my description. The description I was giving was not going to get help to my location.
This is where I started to receive help from kind and caring people who stopped to help. I was able to give a 911 an exact location to send help. A very friendly man opened the back of my car and came in the car to see if I was all right. I did not feel any pain and I was conscious and told the man that I was all right so far. I told him I had to try to call my son and let him know that I was going to be late or not able to get him that night. I also called my parents to let them know I was OK and would call later. I was not really sure that I was or would be ok but I did not want them to worry about me.
I don’t remember anyone’s name that helped me that night. I don’t have any idea how many people stopped to help. I remember hearing many voices outside the car. I could hear the concern in their voices when asking if I was all right. It was a tremendous help to me knowing people were there while hanging upside down in my seatbelt. I will be forever in debt to the people who time to stop and “hang” out with me until they got me out of the car. It took about 40 minutes from the time I went into the ditch until they cut off the door and got me out. When I finally was helped out of the SUV I felt dizzy and disoriented from hanging upside down for all that time. I was placed on a board with a neck collar and sent to Holland Hospital. I could not see anything except the snow falling from above. I was able to briefly see my new friend’s face that spent the most time in the car. I do not to remember his name and because I was on the board I did not see anyone else who was there to help me.
Several months ago I stopped to help a lady whose van had stopped in the middle of the intersection of 96th and Perry in Zeeland. Another man stopped as well and we were able to push the van out of the intersection and on to the shoulder of the road. She borrowed my cell to call family to come and get her. She was very thankful and I remember saying that I hope someone will help me out some day if I need it. She thanked me again and I went on my way. I realized Monday night how powerful sharing kindness and help to a stranger in need can be.
I want to publicly thank everyone who helped me out on Monday evening. Thank you to everyone who was on the scene. As I said earlier I was not able to see who was helping and supporting me while I was trapped. Thank you to every person who stopped. Thank you to all the rescue people for doing an awesome job. Thank you for a warm ambulance ride to the hospital. Thank you to everyone at Holland hospital for carefully checking me out. I hope you all felt good about sharing your kindness, support, professionalism, and skills to help a stranger. I consider you all friends and will be out there to help you or someone else out when I get the chance.
I am thankful that I was not severely injured. I got out with a strained back and neck muscles. I can’t be more adamant about everyone wearing his or her seat belts. I don’t let anyone ride in my vehicle without buckling up. I am sure I would have been more severely injured or killed if I was not wearing my seatbelt. I was lucky to have someone above looking out for me. I was equally lucky to have plenty of friends there at the accident scene helping me. I want to encourage everyone out there to help some one in need. It can be as little as holding a door for someone or as large as helping someone hanging upside down in their car.
Saturday the 4th I was driving on Chicago Drive on my way to get the remaining items that were scattered in the VUE. I passed a car that had gone off the road and into the snow bank. I did a Michigan turn and went back to the car to see if I could be of assistance. The gentleman had shoveled around his car but it was off the road far enough that someone was going to have to pull him out. I said that I didn’t think we could push it out and asked if had called someone. I offered him my cell and he asked me to punch in the number he had written down. He called his brother to come and thanked me with kind sincerity. So in a small way I have started to pay back the kindness that was shown to me.
Monday January 28th will be a day that I could remember as the day I had an accident and wrecked my car. I will however remember it as a day that I was able to see first hand what great people we have in our community. These great people show us what it means to be great citizens and help our fellow man.
Thank you to all my friends!
Games and no school.
