Melinda Williams, who served as Sierra Blanca's Youth Delegate to the 2002 G/A, won first place and a $500 scholarship to
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center with the following essay, addressing the question: How have you faced Medical Adversity?

As an aspiring speech-language pathology student, I consider myself fortunate to not only be alive but to also have been given the opportunity to be a student at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. Three years ago I was living an exciting, motivated lifestyle in Hobbs, NM, while attending Hobbs High School. My academic, social, and athletic career illustrated my competitiveness, courage, and love of life. My life was going as planned, and when I was accepted to Texas Christian University my senior year, I knew my future was destined to be successful.
Although my traumatic brain injury seemed, at the moment, to be the end of my life, I am now able to realize and appreciate God's plan and his divine work in my life.

Melinda Williams In the summer of 2003, I accepted a job at the 3U Ranch in Joshua, TX, as a nanny and a ranch hand. The job was full of new experiences and fulfilling work, until the weekend of June 28, 2003. The last thing I remember was being on a boat with my employers and their children on Lake Cypress Springs while taking turns skiing and inner-tubing. The record indicates that while I was boarding the boat, the driver turned to avoid another boat. The boat propeller sliced through my skull, breaking it into eleven pieces around the right socket of my eye and frontal lobe, which caused me to lose consciousness. An EMS helicopter was able to land on the lake shore. Fortunately, I was quickly airlifted to the Tyler Hospital with a Level One Trauma Unit, and immediately underwent seven hours of brain surgery. I remained unconscious for three weeks following surgery, was diagnosed with a broad array of infectious diseases due to the lake water, and underwent many different procedures, including skull reconstruction and a cerebral spinal shunt. I was in a coma for twenty-two days in Neuro Intensive Care.

From Tyler I was transported to IHS, an extended care unit in Lubbock. Throughout my stay, I struggled to learn to walk, eat, communicate, and deal with extreme amounts of pain. The therapy I received throughout this life-changing experience is the reason I so whole-heartedly chose to study speech-language pathology. Being able to help others through difficult times is an opportunity that is both fulfilling and enjoyable. Although my traumatic brain injury seemed, at the moment, to be the end of my life, I am now able to realize and appreciate God's plan and his divine work in my life.

My family, friends, and hometown all participated in my recovery. One of the most encouraging times throughout the three months I was away was my homecoming to Hobbs. Hundreds of friends, family, and citizens of Hobbs welcomed me home with a small parade of flowers, smiles, and proud, welcoming faces. This day will always have a place in my heart and I will be forever thankful for the love, prayers, and support I was given throughout this difficult time in my life.

The struggle and anticipation regarding my recovery involved a large number of people across the country, and I am so thankful for their love, prayers, and support. I continued to depend on others and my faith in God for support as I was transferred to Baylor Rehabilitation Center in Dallas. I remained in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, recreational therapy, and aqua therapy for four months, which mainly focused on the paralysis of my entire left side. Throughout my months in therapy, I was able to truly appreciate people in the medical and health professions. I believe I would not be physically and cognitively where I am today without the guidance of my doctors, nurses, and therapists.

Deciding to focus on my health and rehabilitation, I sadly took a semester off from college and continued outpatient therapy. Knowing I would not live my life on the sidelines, I worked daily with my family and therapists to reach an independent way of life. Nine-nine days following the accident, I was able to function without a wheelchair for the first time. I began to walk and realized there was hope for my future, although I still had to deal with physical therapy and neurological pain for the next six months. Today, I am still improving my mobility. I daily face the reality of my situation and know it is an ongoing battle. With my left hand still paralyzed, I must continuously work harder than others and I often tire more easily. I thank God every day for opening my eyes to life and for bringing me a sense of excitement to learn more about speech-language pathology.

Luckily, my injuries from my TBI (traumatic brain injury) were mostly physical and not cognitive, which allows me to continue to learn and participate academically. I yearn to help others as I was helped in my time of need. Knowing my life is different and always will be, I have enough faith in myself to achieve all things. Today, I cannot imagine my life without my near-death experience. My close call with death allowed me to overcome adversity, realize my strength, and attend Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center to pursue a degree in my chosen profession.
Reprinted from Point of Light, newsletter of Hobbs First.