Our Story

On December 26, 2004, at around 2:13 am, my life took an irreversible turn. It was Christmas day, and my children and I were preparing for our annual trip to my mother’s house. We left Waldorf, MD, and arrived in NE Washington, DC, around 4:30 pm, where we enjoyed exchanging gifts and spending quality time. As the night grew late, we prepared to leave, with my oldest son staying at my mom’s place. I had a quick stop to make before heading home, and that’s when everything changed.

Driving back, my children had fallen asleep, and exhaustion overcame me. I dozed off behind the wheel, unintentionally pressing the gas pedal, leading to a horrifying collision with a utility pole. I managed to wake one of my sons and instructed him to get his siblings out of the car. Three weeks later, I awoke in the University of Maryland Medical Center, Shock Trauma, in Baltimore, MD. I had sustained severe injuries, including a head injury, a broken left hip, both lower legs crushed, liver and spleen damage, and fractured ribs. My children suffered minor scrapes and bruises, a blessing in comparison to my right leg. 

Despite efforts to save my right leg, it became infected, and I underwent multiple surgeries. A fateful conversation with the doctor presented two options: another uncertain surgery or a below-the-knee amputation with the possibility of walking again through physical therapy. In a blink, my life took a drastic turn. 

At 28 years old, with six children, I faced the agonizing decision of losing my right leg below the knee, alongside a broken left hip and crushed ankle. I wondered how I would care for my children and navigate life. On March 13, 2004, I underwent a life-altering amputation. It was an excruciating choice driven by the urgency of the infection, which was threatening not just my leg but my life. 

Post-surgery, I felt like a new person. While the recovery was challenging, the support of my family was unwavering. My home became a makeshift hospital, filled with nurses and rehabilitation professionals. Constant pain plagued me, but I used this time to educate myself about life as an amputee and prepare for the next steps, both personally and professionally. My mobility limitations prevented a return to my career in Public Safety.