On the first edition of “Share Your Story”, we have Shanise describing her testimony of coming out of a terrible car accident.
Here is the story from her prospective:
The morning of my accident I saw a really bad accident unfold before my eyes. The car accident came within inches from hitting my friend and I. We jumped out to give assistance. I remember driving home at 3 a.m. still shaking and talking about it. We were amazed that the passengers survived unscathed. That night when I got home I posted a picture of the accident, and the details of what happened. I was so thankful to not be involved and thankful for everyone in the car being okay. Little did I know that I would be in an accident FAR worse than what I had just seen...
On Sunday May 3, I was headed to Siesta Key Beach, but before I could make it there my tire blew out on I-75 and my SUV flipped 3-7 times. I was cut out of my truck and spent one night in ICU for a partially collapsed lung, bruised liver, and blood clots. They monitored me around the clock and had me on 100% oxygen. Then I was moved to a regular room, although the doctors were puzzled because I was a trauma patient and they had no idea what to do with me. They released me to a rehab hospital 5 days later, and there they found that I had a broken arm. Everyone including medical professionals, insurance adjusters, and those that have seen my truck are amazed that I did not die in the accident, or at least have more serious injuries. I forgot to mention that none of my air bags deployed! My mom cried when she say my truck because she knew that God spared my life and that He has a plan for me.
I must say this was an extremely hard time for physically and emotionally, but amazingly my emotions were the worse. Sometimes I would cry for absolutely no reason at all. Or there were times that I would cry because I felt lonely! Then there were times that I would cry because I was upset that my life was just getting back on track, and the accident would set me back financially. But my mom kept praying for me and laying hands on me with her Holy oil. My best friend's mother would come to the rehab hospital with her bible and pray for me! I got to a point where I had to give in and be thankful, and release my anger. Rehab and the healing process were both a trying time for me and I had to start referring to my favorite childhood scripture, Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.
Through this situation, I learned that I am so much stronger that I thought I was. I always commended people on their strength, while forgetting that I had that same strength. It just took a near death experience to understand that and to believe in myself! My accident also showed me who wholeheartedly loved and supported. This has allowed me to eliminate the seasonal people who I thought were friends out of my life! I was able to exhale and experience the real Shanise who was no longer a young woman who was unsure of her herself, but now a strong woman who could see a future. I realized I am a FIGHTER and a SURVIVOR. I am reminded that God always has a way of getting our attention when we are hardheaded. He made me sit down and think about my actions, attitude, abilities, and relationship with Him and others.
The advice that I would give to others in a similar situation is to find things to be thankful for. I remember being emotional because I had two black eyes which made me look Beetlejuice, but I had to be thankful for my sight. Looking like Beetlejuice or Kung Fu Panda, sure did beat being blind any day. After I thought about what I resembled I laughed to myself so hard! I had to make light of everything and made funny little Facebook post to keep my spirits up ... and boy did it work!
Life is beautiful because so many people who died yesterday had plans for today. You made it to another day, so do not take it for granted! Take today to experience, learn, and help others!
Special Thanks to Shanise for taking part of LBV first edition of the “Share Your Story” campaign!
For His Glory Only,
XOXO
Danielle