Elizabeth Torode:  

Hi Everyone Finally did the Q&A and need to clear up a response or two. I'm not retired from nursing by choice but as a result of an MVA. I didn't join just for pure curiosity, but rather as a journey. I have a great life doing a lot of volunteer work and just received a lifetime achievement award from our local BSA council. I guess I should be thankful to the guy who ran the red lite and landed in my lap. I should have been Chris Reeve, but instead I ruptured neck discs at C-2 & C-3 and suffered a brain injury. Graduating from neuro rehab, I know that life with scambled egg brains is different and okay. They tell me that the memory losses I occured aren't permanent and if you think of your memory as a series of rooms, all with their own key, the accident didn't destroy the rooms, just the key ring to get into them. With the passage of time and linking of intact memories and triggers, I have the potential of getting back some or all of what is missing and the funny thing is that I don't know what is missing until I need to remember it and if it isn't there, it is literally like looking into a black hole. I have come to realize a big chunk of my youth is awaiting a locksmith. Bottom line is I know I am a tough old bird and a survivor who has survived that, cancer and Lyme's pneumonia. I also know that with the recall glitch a recurring visitor, I have no right to be active as a RN and chose to put my license on inactive status after a long heart-to-heart with my PA nsg board where I was working as field staff for the Red Cross. So don't be offended if you get a note saying who are you, just know that your key is MIA! Funny story, my 1st commissioner mtg after the accident, I got a lot of hugs and one couple came in and brought the mtg to their knees in laughter when I said, I know we camp together, I know I went to training with you, I know I attended your wedding but your names are missing in a black hole. Got the name, got the link and forged a key. The recovery is just that simple and that heartwrenching. In neuro rehab, you are assigned a psychologist and mine had sage advice. In every tragedy, there are gifts if you look for them. I am a better listener and a very empathetic person for this experience. I treasure the past and appreciate the today. I know that I am never alone as long as I keep faith and hope in my heart. Not a bad gift basket, in my book! The best advice he gave me was that I needed to accept that Betty as all knew her, died on 12/28/98 at 6PM in a rainy intersection, but that in that same instance a new Betty was born from that traumatic mome...Expand for more