Injured But Alive – My Incredible Tale of Survival

While avoiding a collision today on the road, I managed to suffer an excruciating injury.

It was my right of way. An advanced green on a street allowing u-turns. The car ahead was already slow to begin it’s turn. It was making a regular left-handy.

I began my u-turn. As I always do. By turning.

When suddenly my Spidey-senses started to tingle. Down there.

I noticed a van, stopped facing a red light, begin a right turn into my lane, not realizing I was whipping a shitty. A legal one.

Our eyes met as our cars were about to collide.

I could sense our pupils dilated. As if we were bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. But we weren’t. It was harsh headlights.

In a deft, reflexive motion, I both swerved and honked my horn at the same time. In warning. In anger. In hope.

Collision avoided.

He understood the error of his ways. His rolling stop. And how quick he shot out.

Into my lane.

He waved. Palm up. In embarrassment. In shame. In apology.

In that instant, I felt the pain. Electric. Intense.

There was a deep throbbing in my thumb.

Somehow I had bent my nail back. Smashed it against the steering wheel. Leaving me as damaged goods. Broken. With no recourse.

I could feel the blood rushing out of me. I could see it glisten in the pale glow of the street lights as they illuminated my humanity escaping.

Pure animal instinct kicked in. I had to survive. I would not end this way. I put my thumb in my mouth. The metallic taste. I had no other choice.

It’s been about 30 minutes since this all unfolded. I have overcome. I have survived and adapted to my injury.

I wrote this all with my left thumb.