In twelve days our family will reach an important anniversary. Three years ago, on April 22, 2005, my world was forever changed. It is still just as raw to me as the day it happened. On that Friday afternoon, about a quarter mile from home, my mother and two young children were involved in a horrific car accident. My mother died instantly and my then 4 year old daughter was sent via ambulance to Atlanta Childrens Heathcare - Eggelston, and my then 3 year old son was evacuated by air ambulance to the same hospital.

Brianna suffered only minor cuts and scrapes from flying glass, had about 6 stitches in her forehead. However the emotional scars of seeing her grandmother die and the thought that her brother had died still haunt her.

Damien was not so lucky. The impact was on his side. The child safety seat indeed saved his life. The seat folded around him like a cocoon. At the scene, he was thought to have died. He was saved by the quick actions of two people who witnessed the accident. One was a first responder traveling with his own family. The other was an emergency room doctor.

He was in a coma for a week. During that time I left his side only to attend the funeral of my mother. When he came out of the coma we were transferred to Scottish Rite Hospital for extensive rehabilitation. He had to learn how to swallow, eat, talk, walk, and even think. He has no memory of anything prior to the accident. Prior to the accident, he was a left handed bright little boy. After the accident he was paralyzed on his left side and had a collapsed lung.

We've had a long road back, and we aren't totally back yet. Damien's TBI has taken over most of our lives. His recovery (and lack thereof) has become the main focus of our family for so long, it is hard to remember what life was like before. We now home school both kids. We have had to put the adoption of both on the back burner until after the insurance settlement has been reached.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Damien is making great strides every day. We finally got Social Security to understand that Damien is severely mentally challenged and after fighting for almost two years, he was approved for SSI last September. The insurance companies have finally gotten to the point where they are ready to let a judge make the final decision as to which insurance company pays what amount. Brianna no longer has as many nightmares.

Next Tuesday I will post some pictures of Mom, in her memory. And some pictures of her newest great-grand daughter. They never had the chance to meet each other, but I know Mom is looking at her from above.

Nini