I was in a car accident | storytime

I share and reflect on a traumatic moment during a recent car accident that has been haunting me with post-traumatic stress. This is how I dealt with a car accident as a blind person while on a road trip.
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[@rikkipoynter]

Damn it, you made me a softy watching this. LOL There's a whole essay I could write about dealing with the cops that day. But that's for my own video I'll film about it this weekend. I'm glad we're all okay and that the liquid was not me, haha, and also that it was ICED coffee and not hot otherwise that would be an added issue that I don't want added onto you. Eventually, we'll do this trip again and do it without hopefully anyone smacking into us and it'll be a lot less stressful. And in a roomy RAV4.

[@abdullahak2204]

Hope you are alright ! 😊

[@mariaborrero957]

Yes it is traumatic, dealing with angry for injuries, the christian side fighting to completely forgive the distracted driver and praying God for healing 😮 my life is upside down after accident add health issues but still keeping faith up😮

[@jamesrobertson9582]

James, Your experiencing the same way as a sighted person. In 2013 I was in a roll over accident due to wet roads and hydro-planing. My pickup rolled 4 times and landed upside down. I thank God even to this day. I had my seat belt on and it for sure saved my life. For the longest time I refused to drive if it was raining because I was scared it would happen again so I know where your coming from. I was a Visual Services Counselor for the State of Oklahoma and worked with Visually Impaired adults and it was the most rewarding job I ever had. Don't worry because you will recover from the trauma you experienced. Talking about it is the best thing you can do. Best of luck to you!!!

[@bee42Sad]

Hugs. I’m so sorry. It’s so hard. I too have been in a minor accident (many years ago) and still remember it exactly how you describe.

[@lynnenicholson6968]

James sending love. It’s tough to process such a thing. Hopefully talking about it here has helped you a bit.

[@TaylormadeHarmony]

So sorry that happened to the both of you. Glad to hear you are not hurt.

[@thomastivnen8831]

Hi James, Get back on the horse. The more you get back in to a car, the more you will get over the anxiety. Don't let fear be in control, get back on the horse, even if it threw you off. -I've been there! -Never let anxiety rule over this, get back on the horse.

[@maybeimbiased]

I'm so sorry that happened to you! I'm glad everyone was OK physically, at least. Hope everything gets better soon!!

[@darkovinster2754]

Big hug! I’m happy you and your friend are not severally injured. 😘

[@whalefuhk]

Ugh. I couldn’t imagine being in a car wreck without being able to clearly see things and for the senses you rely on the most like touch and hearing being so overwhelmed. I’m so sorry. It IS traumatic- no matter if there are serious physical injuries or not. I was in one and it was traumatic to me and I have PTSD and my OCD is heightened. I didn’t drive for 2 years and am just now able to ride on highways by myself. Take your time to process and heal 🙏🏻

[@hadassahbenson4020]

I’ve never been in a car accident but a few days ago I was hit by someone riding their bike on the sidewalk going full speed. I think I remember most is the pain in my jaw when the bikers shoulder hit my jaw. It took the wind right out of me and I couldn’t breathe. I’ve been scared to go for a walk for a while now. I kind of know how it feels. I am blind and I did not hear the biker until it was too late. I am sorry you had to go through that. Car accidents are scary no matter how severe they are..

[@LyricsCrashx3]

aw im so sorry you went thru this! ive almost gotten into a car accident a few times and its VERY scary. your life flashes before your eyes. God bless you. I'm so thankful and glad you are ok. like you said, please talk to a therapist or a trusted family member/friend.

[@JuanAlcazar]

Glad you were able to talk about this, and I’m glad that neither you or Rikki were seriously hurt. Still though, here’s hoping that mentally you’ll be getting better over time. I can’t blame you for being hesitant to going into a car or being close to one, especially after what happened.

[@JennaGetsCreative]

I'm glad you two both got out of that okay and I'm so sorry that happened. Take all the time you need to recover! Trauma does strange things to our brains.

[@KevinCofDE]

Car accidents are scary. You know me from your personal life and my love of cars. I always pray before I get in a car or on the bus.

[@jeniasmackay7931]

Hey James, I'm glad you both are okay through the accident. Must have been scarry, stressful and having to deal with pain. Your very brave to have dealt with all the parties. A cousin of mine and a brother in law both died from car accidents. Wishing they both where alive. As I have not met them as an adult. Both being a Province away from where I live... It's tuff... I'm very glad you spoke out your experience and hope it has helped you get comfort. We who listen care about you! Thanks for sharing.

[@SkyNetworkTV]

I am 90% blind and was in a car accident about two weeks ago. (8-31) It was a direct impact on my side. (front passenger door) Thankfully I was ok, just soreness and bruises from my shoulder to my wrist. When it happened I freaked out and was crying whereas my friend the driver was more reserved. Like you mentioned, the fear and anxiety that I have had since then has made it hard to get back in a car, especially four-way intersections where ppl come at you from the side make me anxious. I have been in a car with a different friend since thenwhich was hard, I got through it but I can’t help feeling reluctant about the thought of getting back in a car with my friend the driver, only because the wreck was her fault and she is 78 yrs old. Not to say that older people can’t be good drivers but you know.

[@RiverWoods111]

Something my father taught me when riding horses, that when you fall off the horse you need to get your ass up off the ground and back on the horse. If you don't that fear will grow and grow till you cannot get yourself to get back on. It is funny because he taught me this while riding horses and every time he would make me get back on. But when I was in a major bicycle accident at 8 years old where I actually died for however long I had flatlined for and then was brought back to life, they took my bicycle away from me. I am a 57-year-old woman afraid to ride bicycles anywhere near a street. I doubt you could get me to go down a huge hill. My mom was then terrified I was going to die and became this insanely overprotective parent that didn't want me to do anything. If you climb that tree with your sister you will probably fall out and break your arm or kill yourself. WTF???

[@spiritofthewinds9089]

I'm so sorry this happened to you guys! Sending lots of love to both of you and hope you'll overcome this trauma💜 must have been so horrible Especially being blind. Please get a therapist, it can only help right? I have my experiences with ignoring the fact that I needed therapy for certain happenings in my life and it was such a wrong decision everytime. Something like that sticks with you forever unless you really do something about it and only gets harder to work on the longer you wait...

[@abdullahak2204]

Hey hope you are alright ! Hope Rikki is fine too and yeah it is very difficult to overcome traumatic experiences but the first step is talking about it and that's what you have done ! Hope you overcome this! You are really strong ! 😊

[@milindstech4379]

Don’t let this dramatic accident ruined your life, Buddy life must go forward don’t think about it anymore just do what you really likes. I’m visually impaired and I had passed trough a car accident where I was even not driving somebody else was and you don’t have to be scared to travel in a car just do it travel in a car combat your fears.

[@KyoKitten]

Glad you made it out alright and are taking steps to healing. Not all injuries are physical after all. Try to remember to take a step back and take a breath once in a while.

[@VulcanOnWheels]

I came from Rikki's video to watch this. I'm so glad that both of you can talk about the accident.

[@blacksheepgirl]

im sorry :(

[@blacksheepgirl]

it's ok to feel anyway you feel. it's totally ok. :o Huge hugs. :( You're allowed to feel how ever you do. Your feelings are completely valid. I'm glad you are still here. :)

[@breephoenix111]

Oh James glad you're okay and so is Ricki. Car accidents are the worst whether you have a disability or not, that sudden "nothing" after a collision where everyone is silent and there's no movement. I was in a really serious car accident before losing my hearing and I was sitting in the back seat behind the driver. My ex boyfriend was in the back seat sitting next to me and we both had our seatbelts on but strangely enough not a minute before the accident I told him to put his seatbelt on. The driver was my ex boyfriends friend and the passenger in the front seat was the drivers girlfriend. A police car breaked heavily on the freeway doing 110kms an hour in front of us and we hit the police doing about 80kms per hour straight up the back of the police car. The seatbelt broke my sternum, I was the only person hurt but I still remember the smell of smoke and burnt rubber. I didn't get into a car with someone else driving for 3 years, I only trusted my driving and till this day I hate being a passenger. I get so nervous with others in control and I'm deaf 😂😂. I can't imagine if I didn't have my sight. If you feel you need to talk to someone please do it and I'm so glad you're safe. I think talking to a professional will help. It's after midnight here in Australia and I'm off to sleep but feel free to message me on Instagram if you need to talk. I was a paramedic many many years ago and saw some horrible things. Take care of yourself James and treat yourself to a few massages. Much love from Australia xxx

[@woodchipgardens9084]

How can a blind person drive.

[@lyra9988]

I’m so sorry. I hope you’re okay.

[@shawnfenton9718]

Hi James. I am a new subscriber and found your channel after washing your video on Jubilee. This is the first video I have watched and can truly appreciate how vulnerable that experience can be. I had my first car accident about 11 years ago and I can still remember the isolating noise of the two cars making an impact. I hope as you spend more and more time inside the car, you become less guarded and more relaxed. Brother, keep sharing and posting great content.

[@jamesrath]

Thanks, Shawn!

[@blind_gamer16]

Damn. That's tough....

[@SassyWyattBlind]

James, this is a truly horrific experience. As someone who is now totally blind anddreams frequently of getting into serious car accidents, and even more recently being in an RTC myself, thankfully all is fine, I can completely understand where you are coming from and the fear and anxiety around car travel, and even just travel in general. Sending you well wishes and I hope you have time to heal and process. ❤️

[@kimberlywest2262]

I have been in car accidents. I still remember, years later, the feeling of the accident. The impact. The sounds. The swerve. Then everything comes to a stop. You just sit for a moment, trying to deal with what just happened. Then you just start doing what you need to do. Your nerves may not hit you til later. It is something that you don’t just forget.

[@katelena23]

At first this story made me feel very anxious!!!.... sending you positive energy. Thank God both of you are okay.