Creating a support group for MVA survivors
For all of the support groups out there that exist to serve victims of accidents, recovering from one can still feel like a lonely experience. It seems like nobody quite gets it. Nobody else was injured the way you were. They don’t have the same lasting pain. Their bodies hold the echoes of trauma in a different fashion. As such, it feels like you suffer by yourself.
That is, it can be like that for some people. Dawne McKay, who was rear-ended at an unthinkable 80 km per hour by an SUV that shoved her into the path of an oncoming truck, suffered tremendous injuries.
When she was transported to her local hospital, they quickly decided to send her to a trauma unit that could better handle her grievous wounds – and the other center greeted her with the hospital chaplain.
Recovering from that accident has been a constant exercise because Dawne is still recovering, all these years later. During the course of this seemingly endless recovery, she learned who her true friends are, how steady her other half is, and upon whom she can truly rely.
She also realized that she needed a real support network, one that she could not find in the web of outpatient rehabilitation, physical therapists, doctors, psychologists and other professionals she was seeing.
She needed other people like herself. Basically, she needed her tribe.
That is why Dawne created the Facebook group Motor Vehicle Accident Victims in 2016, which has now grown close to 200 members; many of them have just been discharged from the hospital or are caregivers of those who have been in accidents.
The group does not provide medical advice, but offers the sort of understanding and compassion that Dawne herself was seeking after her own accident. She also created MVA Support & Recovery, a page for those who want information and resources, but do not want the support-group environment.
Sometimes the only true empathy can come from those who have gone through what you have experienced. And while other support groups for motor vehicle accident victims certainly exist, it does help to have a smaller, more intimate experience – to truly know the others in the group, and to know that everyone is really there for you.
Janice says
Husband in motorcycle accident not out fault an havin major injuries
Jennifer Kain Kilgore says
Hi Janice – I am so sorry for your troubles. If your husband has been in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault, make sure to visit the doctor first and an attorney second. That way, if you do decide to pursue a case, there will be medical notes to back him up. I’m not sure where you live, but try our attorney directory to find someone in your area: https://www.enjuris.com/personal-injury-law-firms/
Good luck! I hope your husband feels better soon.
Billy says
Wednesday a 15 yr old kid driving came into my lane side swiped the pickup in front of me and hit me head on in my semi. He was gone instantly the trooper told me the impact was so violent I should have not walked away but I did. I am struggling so hard that his life is gone he will never grow to have a family his parents will never hold him again. The images of him from the wreck I cannot shake I grabbed the fire extinguisher from my truck and ran screaming get him out but people who stopped said he was already gone and the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames and all I can think is I killed him. I knew I was not at fault and many witnesses seen it exactly as I described and said their was nothing I could do. Bit it’s been 3 days now I barely can sleep and just cannot fathom why a 15 yr old was driving in the first place it angers me and saddens me at the same time that I wish he would not have made the decision to drive illegally. Thanks for listening
Carrie Warren says
Oh Billy, what a heart-breaking experience. I’m glad you found this article about Dawne’s experience and her support group. Perhaps connecting with others can help to ease the pain a bit. Wishing you all the best from the Enjuris team.
Debbie Jensen says
I was involved in accident on May 25. A semi truck ran a red light on a left hand turn. The truck took out the front of my car. I was running errands for Labor Day weekend. I was put in a body cast for 7.5 weeks. I’m slowly recovering both physically and mentally. My husband has been great but I can see he’s starting to lose patience. He doesn’t understand the pain I’ve gone through my body just aches from the accident and I hate going anywhere. What should I do. I need to move in but it’s really hard. I start pt tomorrow. I really don’t blame him but it’s just so hard. I see a semi truck and I freeze up. Thanks for listening.
Carrie Warren says
I’m so sorry, Debbie. You’re right, accident recovery is really hard for others to understand. I’m so glad you found this article about support groups. There are some great resources there. Perhaps your PT can point you in the direction of a local group as well?
John Henkelman says
When I was 17 years old I survived a horrific rollover accident where I was ejected from the vehicle and suffered a break and multiple fractures in my neck. I seem too still suffer to this day of a bizarre form of survivors guilt. No one died in my accident but I am crippled with guilt when I hear of people that die in car accidents all the time. I can’t help shake this feeling of complete injustice that I survived this wreck when I was less than a savory individual at the time of my accident, and good hearted, hard working decent people lose there lives every day in similar accidents. I don’t and will never understand how some are chosen to die and others are like me are not. I am looking for a support/donation group for indivusuals like me. If there is not one I would like to create one. Can anyone here help?
Nancy Rapp says
Hello, John. You are certainly lucky to be alive and it is wonderful that everyone survived. I’m sorry you suffer such guilt, and I hope that you receive counseling to help you cope with your grief. There are quite a few accident donation opportunities available with Go Fund Me. C.A.R.E. is one organization. Browse that site to see what cause you would like to donate to or create your own fundraiser. I hope that helps!
Katharine J. says
I had a car accident 3 years ago, gone through so much pain and troubles, I thought I was strong, but today I had another rear-ended one, all bad memory and pain came back. I just realized I need some help.
Nancy Rapp says
Hi Katharine. Realizing you need help is an important step to your recovery. Your statute of limitations may have run out, but we encourage you to use our attorney directory near you to learn your rights for both the previous accident and your current one.
Katharine J. says
Anybody known very tough lawyer in Bay Area， now I had second rear-ended accidend, made my case too complicated. Thanks for help.
Nancy Rapp says
Hello Katharine. I’m sorry to hear about your accident. Here is the link to our California attorney directory: https://www.enjuris.com/personal-injury-law-firms/california/ The cities are listed next to the firm name, so you should be able to find a lawyer near you.
Katharine J. says
Thank you for attorney’s information
Dawn Jackson says
My husband and I where involved in a serious road traffic accident in February we both had life changing injuries but my husband had a cartographic brain injury and is in a neurological care home in a minimal conscious state.
This has been devastating for all the family..
We both have good solicitors who are working to get us the right compensation.
Lance Buchanan says
Thanks for sharing your story, Dawn. We’re sorry to hear about your serious injuries, but glad that you have good representation on your side helping you recover financially. That can make such a huge difference in cases like yours. Best wishes and we hope you and your family heal quickly!
Sandy says
How do I find a Accident Support Group in Los Angeles?
Ian Pisarcik says
Sandy,
Take a look at this list from Psychology Today. There are support groups for pain, PTSD, and brain trauma. If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for, contact one of the groups and ask for a referral.
Jeanne says
First want to recognize the folks that were in horrific car accidents! My heart goes out to you.
I had a car accident in the beginning of December 2018. Thankfully no one was hurt. The trauma. is still real in my head and afraid of other drivers and etc. Having trouble getting past this. Why was I and everyone ok? I am still afraid to drive more than 2 miles. I feel so fortunate but alone in a sense.
Dan Hartman says
I am 15 and I lost my left arm and leg in a car accident. We got hit by a truck and my arm and leg got pinned between the seat and window. I will never be able to play hockey or every be normal again. I am going to kill my self. Good bye.
Ian Pisarcik says
Dan,
Please reach out to the suicide hotline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
Bradley Rush says
Much love to everyone going through the after effects of an automobile accident, Im so happy I found this group.
12 months ago, I was at work driving with an co-worker to a job site. He decided to take off on a side road, and “joy-ride” a brand new 2018 Mercedes benz. The type of work we were in allowed us to drive these vehicles daily. As I screamed at him to slow down, he lost control of the vehicle, rolling us 5 times at 75-80 mph. I am a very lucky man. The seat belt saved my life, and I am so grateful to wake up everyday. Unfortunately this incident has left me with a traumatic brain injury, severe spinal issues, and extreme anxiety/depression. I am disabled , can not work, and am still waiting on any sort of settlement. My credit score is ruined, cant get a bank account, and have gone to collections for all the medical bills from that day. My attorney’s can’t help much, as we are waiting on a workers comp appeal.
I have moved in with my mom, and have had to get job washing dishes, despite my pain. I can read at a 4th grade level, so I can’t do much for work. I don’t know what to do, I’m sad, and feel hopeless. I feel like I am not being represented well, and that im being taken advantage of because of my inability to understand things now. I hope everyone else that is going through this the best, and I hope that someday I be ok too.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for sharing, Bradley. I hope you feel better soon. If you feel your lawyer isn’t being responsive, this article may be helpful: https://www.enjuris.com/blog/questions/lawyer-ignoring-me/