As I sit down to write this bio, I am beyond humbled to still be here.  I know…I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that God is not done writing “our” story.  Why do I say, “our”?  What I am about to share is truly God’s story, I just get to share it with you.  

5 years ago, I was preparing to check a cross country ride off of my bucket list.  Something I had wanted to do forever.  On May 20,2016 I loaded all of my cycling gear and my bicycle in the back of Kristy Massey’s vehicle.  Kristy and I are friends from high school who had reconnected thanks to social media and our shared love of cycling.  She was heading to California for the start of our cross-country ride.  I was to meet her just 5 days later.  Well, that didn’t happen.  On my last training ride in Indiana, coming home from Kokomo High School, I was hit by a pick-up truck traveling 60mph.  You see, God said 2016 was not my time.

The accident left me with a broken neck, shattered pelvis, TBI, and many other broken bones and problems.  God was present in every aspect of this accident.  The rescue personnel were just 1 mile from my accident scene when they received the call. (They were heading back to the fire house from a previous call).  The first people on the scene (Les and Carol Hardin) sat with me (unconscious) and did not move my body.  If you know about neck injury, their moving me could have caused certain paralysis.   My rescuers knew who I was and were able to get a call to my husband who then got to see me as they loaded me into the Lifeline helicopter.  I was flown to St. Vincent Trauma center in Indianapolis.  Where my next miracles happened.    

Once at St. Vincent trauma center I was met by the on-call trauma surgeon, Dr. Ren Critchlow.  Dr. Critchlow was a former Olympic athlete and I believe completely understood the desire I would have to be active again as he worked meticulously to put my broken body back together.  I had another trauma physician who tended to other injuries.  Dr. Jelen is a man of great faith.  Dr. Bradly Jelen was never afraid to call me “his miracle patient”.  It was comforting to be able to share my faith with this great physician.  These physicians, along with teams of other doctors, nurses, and therapists worked patiently and diligently with me to assist me in the recovery process.  Initially my family was told to expect a minimum of 6 weeks in the hospital, I was released to home in 23 days!

Once home, I began the long process of therapy, more therapy, and the hard work of recovery.  Our church, Bennetts Switch Community Church, took on the task of mowing our lawn, planting flowers, planting a garden, cooking LOTS of meals so that my husband (of now 31 years), Bill, could care for me round the clock.  My incredible husband had to learn to give me shots in my stomach for my numerous blood clots, he had to learn to bathe me, dry and straighten my hair, and he even learned to paint my toenails!  My husband was helped by my mother, Donna Scott, our children Matt, Julia, Adam and Amanda, as well as numerous friends and family from the community.  Taking care of me at home was a full-time job.  You see, I should have been in an extended care facility because I couldn’t even lift my legs to get in and out of bed…BUT I wanted to be home. 

Days of recovery became, weeks of recovery, which became months and then years.  My trauma surgeons told us it would be a 3 year minimum recovery process.  I never imagined that would be true, but today, almost 5 years later, I feel I am still improving.  While there isn’t a day I don’t know I was badly injured and I know I will always live in pain…BUT attitude is everything.  I choose to live fully alive.  I choose to be happy.  I choose to give back!

Post accident, I retired for teaching and coaching as there were no guarantees for my recovery.  I didn’t feel it was fair to leave my students and athletes wondering if I would ever come back.  I was approved for Social Security disability and honestly felt this is how I would live out my days.  As I recovered, I desired more.  I wanted to be active, I wanted to give back, I wanted to get back to teaching and coaching!!!  2 years and 3 months post accident, a local school, Northwestern had a job opening.  This wasn’t just any job, but what I would consider a “dream” job.  I applied knowing that I was still very much in the throws of recovery and still doing therapy a minimum of 2 times per week.  Northwestern Schools hired me as their aquatics director.  I’d like to say they took a chance on me!  I can honestly tell you this is the best school corporation on the planet.  My supervisors patiently worked with me as I would need to leave on a lunch hour for therapy, need to leave 10-15 minutes early for a therapy…They were always extremely accommodating.  My first year back was nothing short of exhausting.  My body had only known recovery and rest for over 2 years.  I am so excited to report that I am about to finish my 3rd year back teaching and coaching post accident.  I love what I get to do daily and feel so blessed to be back living this dream.  

The spring of 2020 when CoVid hit, I decided I wanted to be more active and see how much I could ride my bicycle.  During the summer of 2020 I began to push myself.  With the longest ride post accident on May 24th.   I rode 75 miles.  I didn’t ride 75 miles alone, but with lots of my current and former swimmers riding and now “coaching” me through a new goal!.  This ride gave me the confidence that I could train at a higher level and ride longer distances.  The summer of 2020, I completed several century rides and went out west to the Rockies and rode at elevation.  In July of 2020, I knew I could train and prepare to cycle across the USA.  Kristy Massey and I even cycled The Rockies together!  We both discussed the possibility of finally completing this dream of ours and cycling across the USA.  

During the winter of 2020-2021 I continued training on an indoor trainer and began to prepare for a trip across the USA.  I am thrilled to announce that God granted me: The Lilly Endowment Teacher Fellowship grant in Feb.  This grant will help fund my expenses for my cross country journey.  You see, I had applied for this grant in 2016 and was not chosen as a recipient.  God knew that my time was 2021!  

I owe so many thanks to so many people who have helped me through this journey.  I would not be even considering this attempt without each and every one of you.  To my husband, Bill, who has always embraced my “crazy”, I love you from the bottom of my heart.  You are my rock and you have no idea how grateful I am for all you do for me and our family.  To my children, who always encourage me….I am so proud of each of you.  You are incredible human beings and always know there there are no limits to your dreams.  To my athletes who motivate me…you will never know how special you are and how I draw from your strength.  Never forget, “If it is to be, it is up to me!”  To my mother, who had to endure seeing her daughter broken and battered, something a mother never wants to see….Momma, you will never know how much I love you.  To all of my friends, you are why I am where I am today.  I cherish each and every one of you!  This ride is for ALL of you!  Tell this story.  Tell God’s story!  Share of his goodness, grace, and miraculous healing power!  

Here is to the summer of 2021!  One pedal stroke at a time I will travel from Yorktown, VA to Florence, OR.
God Bless and Happy Trails!
Donita