On the dark, icy night of November 28th, 2003, my wife and I were in a full-speed, head-on car collision. The shear force of the crash sent my face (not my head, but the front of my face) crashing through the front windshield and tore my handsome mug to shreds…
Regretfully, I never lost consciousness during this whole ordeal and lived through the doctors injecting over 50 Novocaine shots in my face and giving me over 300 stitches so that I could look like the dead man you see above. They had to sew my right eyelid back on and sew on a huge chunk of my bottom lip. The other side of my face, which you cannot see in this picture (see it here if you can stomach it), was cut wide open from my ear to my mouth. I looked pretty much like this for about a month and looked something like that for about four months. No joke, I was still getting small shards of glass out of my face several months after the accident.
When I would go out in public, people would (rightfully so) stare with puzzled looks on their faces… wondering what dog I let chew my face up. I had major dental damage, could hardly eat, couldn’t see well, was in a ton of pain, but I made it. It wasn’t a storybook recovery either.
I cried like a baby (when no one was looking). I was depressed and lost a ton of confidence in my ability to be a public leader (I was a full-time public speaker at the time). I was upbeat sometimes, but felt like crap a lot. But when everything added up, I made it…
Psalm 30:5 states that "weeping may endure through the night, but joy comes in the morning." In other words, keep living and things will get better.
After meeting with my physical therapist today and consulting with a
few top-notch personal trainers, I am preparing to face some new
challenges (avoiding a multi-level spinal fusion surgery by working out
like a cancer stricken Lance Armstrong) head on. They tell me that
this mountain I am about to climb is a big one, but after you’ve been
through what I’ve been through, don’t call it a comeback, I been here
for years (that’s an LL Cool J quote for my non rap lyric quoting blog
buddies.)!
Whatever you are facing, you need to know that you can make it. You may not come out looking like America’s Next Top Model and it won’t always be easy, but you have been through hell and high water before and you can get through it again. I have come to learn that if I just keep on living, I will outlast most of my challenges.
I believe I have a lot more living to do and so do you!
(Don’t take my word for it – let LL get you pumped up)
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Holy crap dude. I had absolutely no clue. That is insane. I am personally proud to say I know you now. Seeing as how it is CLEARLY OBVIOUS God has a GREAT plan for you!
Awesome dude.
Thanks for sharing your story. I feel your pain.
When I was just a little kid I was in a dirt bike accident. I crashed into a barbed-wire fence face first out at my grandparents farm. My brothers and sisters thought I was dead. I have lived my life with the facial scars and they have always sort of bothered me. But I try to stay strong and just live life to the fullest.
I could have easily died that day, and I feel as you probably do, that each day I have is gravy. I think it was just meant to happen.
Best wishes.
Blessings to you, your family, and your ministry. I’m glad to know that a powerful faith like yours is working in this city, as well. To the God of all might and power be the glory!