Southeast student recovers from serious accident

"Waking up in a hospital bed, unable to move, with no remembrance of why I'm here, is one of the scariest things one can ever experience," said Southeast student Brandon Smith.

Smith was involved in an accident while driving home from work. Although he doesn't remember exactly what happened at the time of the accident, he can recall bits and pieces. He knows that he fell asleep at the wheel and that it was due to his lack of sleep, but most of the details are a blur.

"I just really had a lot on my plate and because I'm so determined and committed to everything I'm involved in." Smith said. "At the time sleep wasn't my main priority."

Although he doesn't remember a lot from the accident he does partially remember the first time he woke up in the hospital.

"I remember waking up in the hospital and the first people I saw when I open my eyes were my mom and dad," Smith said. "I was confused and couldn't move. I knew I was awake but I felt like I was stuck in one place. I didn't know what to think. After realizing that I was in a hospital bed I quickly put two and two together. Knowing that I had a rugby game that day, I figured that my accident either occurred there or in the car on my way home from work. I couldn't remember anything so those were the best answers I could come up with."

The injuries Smith sustained from the accident included a broken wrist, serious head contusions, blood clots in his right leg, a pulled ligament in his right knee, three broken ribs on his left side and a punctured left lung. After all of these injuries, Smith said that he is blessed to be alive and doesn't focus on his wounds.

"Yes, I do hurt and have pains, but the fact that I'm not only able to walk but just that I made it out and I'm still alive -- I can do nothing but praise the Man upstairs because it was all Him," Smith said.

Smith's mother reacted as most family members would when she received that call that her son was in the hospital.

"We were very panicked because of the unknown condition of our son, only to be told that he was in a car accident and in ICU [intensive care unit]," Sonya Smith said. "I can't tell you the thoughts that were going through our minds. We just wanted to see him."

Sonya Smith said that it is very important for students to give their parents contact information of close friends because that was her and her husband's biggest struggle in trying to find out the condition of their son.

"It is important for students to know that when there is an emergency; parents need a way to trace back your steps until they get answers," Sonya said. "Make sure that your parents have at least two contacts of close friends they can reach if they can't reach you.

"Remember, when something happens to you good or bad, it affects everyone. So, be safe and make wise decisions. Know that your parents care for your safety and well-being."

Smith said he is more aware now of balancing his time with school, work, rugby and fraternity responsibilities.