Sonia's Story

Written by Sonia | 28 November 2007

The 13th of January 2006 started out to be a good day, Friday the last working day for the week.  The day was filled with meetings appointments and deadlines. I remember going out for lunch with my work mates, then getting back to the office, get ready for an open inspection at Mc Laren flat. As I was driving to the property I reflected on the last 6 months of my life and at that point I was happy with how life was going.

4 pm I had opened the property to the potential tenants for half an hour During that time I met a couple, Toby and Sara with their two children. We shared similar investment interest, and continued the conversation as we walked to our cars. After 15 minutes of discussion I thanked them both for attending the inspection and advised to send in application form if they were interested in the house. I got into my car drove to the end of the Dom Street, that's how Friday the 13th of January ended for me, well that is all I can remember.

Waking up from a coma two weeks later in Flinders Medical Hospital was like a dream. My mother explained that I was involved in a major car accident and that I was lucky to be alive. At that point I wanted to know where my car was.

My family has tried to answer all my questions. What happened? Was it my fault? Will the police find the three young guys in that blue commodore?

Will I get better?  I have slowly put together or should I say understood that Friday the 13th unraveled like this. I was driving on the Kangarilla road back to Adelaide when I overtook  motorbike at high speed. This unfortunately had led me onto the wrong side of the road. A few minutes pasted and a blue commodore was seen overtaking the same motorbike and was placed directly behind me. The motorbike witnessed us both disappearing around a right hand bend. He then drove into what has seemed to be a car accident however there were no cars to be found.

He pulled over to be confronted with a voice yelling for help.  Sam was unable to find where the voice was coming from. In a distance he noticed a car coming so waved it down. The car stopped and the driver greeted him with a "Gday what's up mate?" Sam notified the couple that there had been an accident. Before he could continue the female occupant was out of the car, trying to locate the person that was screaming for help.  As she walked across the road she noticed broken glass, papers, and tire tracks leading her to where the car was pinned to a large tree. Sara's Husband Toby followed her to the same spot. They both looked at each other with a terrified look. Sara convinced her husband to go down to the car as the voice has stopped. She feared the worst. Toby proceeded to the car and held on to his breath, as he has never been confronted by death.

The car was a mess it seemed to be upside down cut in half and rapped around the tree. Toby was unable to see how many people where in the car. As he observed the wreck moaning commenced from the car. He began talking to the person, letting them know that the ambulance had been called and that they will be all right.  As he continued talking to the person trapped in the car, he was told by Sam that 30 minutes had already passed with no sign of any help.

Sara once again phoned the Ambulance located at Aldinga, they informed her that they were on the way.  As Sara looked up the ambulance was travelling towards the accident site. Toby, Sara Sam and all the people that had stopped to watch observed a team of six emerge from the ambulance. Toby leads the team to the wreckage. He was asked to stand back, he couldn't help himself. He wanted to know that the person in the car was alive. Sara took hold of his hand as they walked back to their car. As they passed all the broken glass and scattered paper he noticed a business card. He proceeded to pick it up and to his surprise it was the agent that he and his wife had just met at the open inspection.

TO BE CONTINUED....

I truly believe that things happen, good or bad to people for a reason. I have learnt so much about myself since the accident such as appreciating my family. Work doesn't come first. Materialistic possessions don't validate a person. A positive outlook will get you further in life. Relax enjoy and take it easy.

Well I think I am going to write a novel, donate the money to maybe brain injury research, or just open up a rehabilitation centre 'Life without Barriers'. Offering assistants with depression home help return to work, etc., and all the things I suffered.

Thankyou to those who helped me and to those who loved me

I cannot truly express to you the way that I feel, but I will try to the best of my ability. My heart is filled with loving gratitude, for I know how it feels to be love so very much by all of the people that have supported me and my family through the hardest time of our lives. I don't even know how to begin to thank you all.. I just cannot thank you enough! I feel so truly blessed that I have been given a chance to go on living.

To all the, South Australian ambulance paramedics, SA Police, Doctors and Nurses at the Flinders Medical Hospital that have been my saviours, I thank you for the fantastic assistance that you have provided. You are truly marvellous at what you do.

To Mary, Emma, & Sam, I thank you for all your endless support. You have seen me at my worst but I have pulled through, thank you for your loving hearts and support. Good Neighbors are truly hard to find. We have made some fantastic memories together. I love you all.

To all my Uncles, Aunties and Cousins, I thank you all, for supporting me especially Mum and Dad.

To my mum Rita, dad Mario, brother Tony,  sister in law Michelle,  Nephews Mario,  Robert,  Nieces Daniella & Jessica. You have been through the worst emotional path.  I am so lucky to have you as family.  I love you all so much.

Michael.  I am so happy you stayed, especial when you were unsure of how it was going to end up. You are my tower of strength. When I feel pain and not confident you help me get through it all and that's why I LOVE YOU.