Imagine your friend survives a catastrophic accident. What do you do? This is what I learned
As Martha was recovering we found ways to support her. Now we’re raising money to help others in the same situation
What’s the best way to support a friend who has had a life-shattering, traumatic accident? I didn’t have a clue when my friend Martha had a catastrophic car crash 20 years ago, broke 26 bones, had a stroke, and suffered serious internal injuries. It wasn’t clear whether she was going to live, or, if she did survive, how radically her life was going to be restricted by her injuries.
None of her friends knew how to handle the situation. In the first few weeks, we muddled along. When I visited a few days after she had been moved out of intensive care, I was alarmed to find her looking absolutely her normal, smiley self, except horizontal and unable to move. I got most things wrong that afternoon. Panicking, I embarked on a long story about a friend of a friend who had broken her spine and eventually recovered – but I didn’t get to the happy ending because a nurse interrupted to say that I needed to stop talking about depressing things. Martha was thirsty, but her arms weren’t working, so I lifted a glass with a straw to her mouth, and ended up spilling water over her.
Continue reading...Date: |
Topics
-
CBS Sports - Sports
Newest Eagles receiver ready to step up with A.J. Brown out: 'That's what I was brought here to do'
Jahan Dotson is ready for his opportunity6 hours ago - NFL -
The Wall Street Journal - World
Crimea Shows What Ukraine Can Do
Imagine what it would accomplish if given the freedom to strike inside Russia itself.23 hours ago - Ukraine -
The Wall Street Journal - Business
Your Company Is Watching You. And Probably Doing It All Wrong.
Employers often feel like they have to keep an eye on their workers, especially those working remotely. There are bad ways to do it and not-as-bad ways.2 days ago -
BBC News - Top stories
What do we know about suspect Ryan Wesley Routh?
He appears to have mixed politics and a history of support for Ukraine - as well as a number of legal issues.8 hours ago -
Financial Times - Business
Trump’s apparent assassination attempt: what do we know so far?
The arrest of a suspect raises fears for the security of candidates in the final stretch of the US presidential election1 hour ago -
The New York Times - Lifestyle
Our Granddaughter’s Boyfriend Is Too Old for Her. What Can We Do?
A reader and her husband are united in disapproval of the 14-year age gap in their granddaughter’s relationship. What they don’t agree on is whether to invite him to dinner.September 4 -
The Hill - Politics
Bad actors already have your data, but there's something you can do about it
The NPD breach was one of the largest on record. It will not be the last.1 hour ago -
The Guardian - World
Do you see blue or green? This viral test plays with color perception
A visual neuroscientist realized he saw green and blue differently to his wife. He designed an interactive site that has received over 1.5m visits. It started with an argument over a blanket.. “I’m ...3 hours ago -
Inc. - Business
What Got You Here Won't Get You There--but 'There' Is Just the Beginning
To build an iconic company, it's not enough to improve as a leader. You need to transcend yourself.Yesterday -
CBS Sports - Sports
What's next for Pac-12? More expansion options, TV deal on check list for re-imagined conference
Plus, how will the Pac-12's raid of the Mountain West affect conference realignment throughout the landscape?1 hour ago
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
Sheriff’s office shares video of suspect arrest; FBI says suspect spent 12 hours in tree line of Trump golf club – live
Video posted to Facebook shows the arrest of the man suspected in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump; FBI releases details on manhunt. Suspect charged as Trump accuses Biden and ...17 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Guardian - World
Death toll reaches 16 as ‘dramatic’ flooding in central Europe continues
Czech Republic, Poland and Austria fear worst may yet be to come as thousands are evacuated to higher ground. The death toll from torrential rain and flooding in central and eastern Europe has ...1 hour ago -
The Guardian - World
At least 16 killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, Palestinian officials say
Five women and four children said to be among dead with strike hitting residential building in crowded Nuseirat camp. Middle East crisis – latest news updates At least 16 people have been ...2 hours ago - Israel -
The Guardian - World
French rape trial to resume after Dominique Pélicot health issues
Trial of retired electrician, 71, and 50 other men had been adjourned while he was taken to hospitals for tests. The trial of Dominique Pélicot and 50 other men accused of rape will resume on ...40 minutes ago - France -
The Guardian - World
More than 200 inmates escape Nigerian prison in aftermath of flooding
Prisoners fled when the walls of their jail collapsed in the country’s worst flooding in two decades. More than 200 inmates escaped from a prison in north-east Nigeria in the aftermath of the ...1 hour ago