07/10/2026
One year ago I ducked and rolled in my Toyota Highlander on lake shore drive after being hit by a vehicle in their own coned off lane at 5:13am. It was a daily commute that had become a 3 car accident during Chicago’s rush hour at the mouth of L*D northside.
I didn’t really believe the witnesses or emergency responders that my six passenger car had rolled 360 until I saw my car days later. It wasn’t like any fender-bender I had experienced; it wasn’t until they put me in a neck brace in the ambulance that i realized I really didn’t have a choice if I was going to the hospital. I was alone, surrounded by strangers just doing their jobs, and no one I knew to call that was awake. As dramatic as it is, I remember squatting next to my car after getting out, trying to not throw up, thinking how alone I was and it was such a mistake to move to Chicago. What was I thinking? Why had I moved here and now I had no one there for me. It’s crazy the spiral 🌀 you can fly down when in crisis. The truth was that most people I know aren’t awake at 5am. I did have someone to call and Karen, Kara’s mom was awake, and as the ambulance sirens sounded around me, I gave her all the info I knew.
After an extensive time in ER of scans and tests, my friends arrived, my family called, and it was going to be okay. I just had a few scratches and was shockingly in perfect condition considering.
The last photo in this slide was my birthday part just months later full of the beautiful friends that have embraced me and inviting me into their worlds here. I really wasn’t alone and I am not alone. I have friends close and far and in states, Providence’s, and countries.
What followed this accident was a really really tough year physically, financially, and emotionally. I can’t thank my family and friends enough for being present and supportive as I have continued to grow up, make mistakes, and experience the ups and downs of simply being. There is definitely a before and after from my car accident; i think it has ushered a lot challenges and growing pains, but it also has served me as a massive reminder. The reminder I’m not alone, I’m very much alive and very much in a community.
