Image from THV11, Little Rock, AR
It was close to midnight on April 10, 2002 when Erin, an attractive 22 year-old, left a tavern in West Little Rock, hopped into her bright red Saturn, buckled her seatbelt and headed west on Highway 10. During the evening, Erin had three glasses of wine, not much by her standards, but the night before she had partied hard on drugs and alcohol.
Six miles down the highway, Erin lost control of her car, careened into a ditch, rolled the car two or three times and landed upside down. The car roof was crushed and so was her spine. She was conscious and in a lot of pain, but from the waist down she felt nothing. She was paralyzed. She could have been dead, but the one thing she did right was fasten her seatbelt.
The first paramedic to reach the scene said, “Don’t worry, Erin. We’ll get you out.” And they did, but it took two hours of cutting, while she drifted in and out of consciousness.
Later they found that Erin had a blood alcohol content of .216, more than twice the legal limit, and she was later convicted of Driving under the Influence and heavily fined. Because of the alcohol in her system, doctors were afraid to add painkillers to the mix when she got to the hospital which meant she would have to suffer excruciating pain without sedation.
It is now more than ten years since the day of the crash, and more than ten years of continuous sobriety thanks to regular attendance at 12-Step meetings and a sponsor.
Erin is still in a wheel chair, but she has made a life for herself and her family that is truly inspirational. She married, bore three children, graduated from college (Cum Laude), got a great job and a Best Mom on Wheels nomination from the Christopher and Donna Reeve Foundation.
Christopher Reeve , many will remember, was an accomplished actor and director who was paralyzed in an equestrian competition in 1995. He created the Foundation in 1999 to develop treatments for paralysis associated with spinal cord injuries. Reeve and his wife are both deceased but their mission continues.
Erin’s husband, Ryan, who overcame his own addictions and also graduated cum laude, wrote the letter below to the Foundation nominating his wife for the award.
“I would like to enter my wife for the mom on wheels contest” Ryan wrote. “My wife’s name is Erin. We have had three children, but one passed away after three days. Hagen is seven and is blind in one eye, and Koen is five. My wife is a perfect wife who wants to enjoy life and show our children that you can live life to the fullest and accomplish a lot even when you have obstacles to overcome. My wife has graduated from college and has a great job. She does more than most mothers who aren’t injured, and I feel deserves this award for all her hard work and sacrifice. She has never once said she couldn’t do something because she couldn’t walk. She gives it her best every day, never gives up, and is an inspiration to all who know her. I love my wife very much and couldn’t be more proud of her strength and what she’s accomplished since she lost the use of her legs. Even though she can only use half her body, she’s twice the mom.”
About a year ago, I got a note from Erin, which included a report on the kids.
“Hagen is 7 and in second grade, and Koen is 5 and is in Kindergarten,” she wrote, “both boys are doing great and are very good at school.”
She closed with an offer of help. “Please, she said, “let me know if I can help in any way regarding the teen drinking book you are writing. That is definitely a topic that is very near and dear to my heart.”
Bless you, Erin. And have a happy Mother’s Day!
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