Tornado Survivor's Journey to Recovery

December 11, 2021—The Day Everything Changed

In less than five minutes, my life completely changed. At the age of 25

(Currently 28)

I lost everything—the ability to walk, to move, to feel my legs ever again. I was caught in the devastating tornado that tore through Bowling Green, Kentucky, that night. (Dec 11th 2021) It destroyed everything in its path, including my world.

It all happened so fast. I remember trying to seek shelter with my family, but before I could process what was happening, I was thrown into a tree. The impact shattered my back, leaving me with multiple fractures. I lay there, helpless, unable to move, surrounded by the chaos of destruction. The screams of my loved ones echoed around me, but no matter how much I wanted to call out, I couldn't. I was trapped in silence.

Then, I heard the words that shattered me more than any injury ever could—my family was gone. My nieces, my nephew, my sister-in-law—my best friend. Gone. My older brother lay next to me, badly injured, trying to keep me awake. But eventually, I slipped into unconsciousness.

When I woke up, I was in Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. A month had passed. I had been on a ventilator, and now I was finally awake. But nothing felt real. I asked my nurse what had happened,

she wouldn’t tell me—I had to wait for the doctor. Confusion swirled in my mind. Then the doctor came in and told me the truth that would define the rest of my life:

I had a spinal cord injury from T8-T12. My spinal cord was severed. I would never walk again.

I didn’t know what to think, what to say, or even what to feel. I had lost my family. I had lost my independence. My ability to move, to feel, to be the person I once was. How was I supposed to continue living? Would I ever be happy again? Would life ever get better?

So many questions haunted me.

Why did they have to go?

Why did this happen to us?

Why me?

I spent months in the hospital. After that, I was transferred to a rehab facility where I had to learn to be as independent as possible. This was my new life, but I kept hoping—praying—that things would change. Every night, I begged God to fix me, to make me who I was before. But days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and nothing changed.

Everything was so hard. The simplest tasks felt impossible. I tried to accept my new reality, but deep down, I still hoped for a miracle.

When I was finally discharged from rehab, things only got worse. I fell into depression. The physical and emotional toll was unbearable. Unexpected medical complications set me back again and again. And even now, I’m still fighting.

Nothing seems to be improving. No matter how much I push forward, it feels like I’m stuck in place.

But I’m still here. And maybe, somehow, that means something

I long to return home and live as normal a life as possible. I’m still facing complications that have been ongoing for over a year, since March 2024. I don’t know whether I’ll get better or if things will continue to get worse, but my hope is to go back home and be with my family. I dream of having a place to truly call home—one that’s wheelchair accessible, where I can feel comfortable. To make that possible, I’ll need a wheelchair van to help me get around. that would bring me some happiness. Getting a wheelchair van would also allow me to go out with family and friends again, attend my doctor’s appointments, and continue my rehab. I’d be able to see if there’s a chance of getting better. Since my injury in December 2021, I’ve mostly been in hospitals. I want to return home and do the things I used to do—the things that once brought me joy.

If my story has touched you and you feel moved to donate, please know that any amount—no matter how large or small—is deeply appreciated.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helps me achieve my dream of owning a wheelchair-accessible van. Your generosity brings me closer to living as normal a life as possible, and I cannot thank you enough.

May God bless each of you for taking the time to read my story.

Thank you!