 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Shana Ogren is the 29-year-old daughter of good friends of Stan Thompson and Vicki Leon. About two months ago, while working for the Peace Corps in Africa, she was thrown from a truck and sustained extremely serious injuries, including multiple skull fractures and brain hemmorages. This letter from Shana was written recently and is shared here to help start your new year off with confidence in renewal, faith in the human experience, and fresh starts. A Note From Shana OgrenI was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi, in Southern Africa, who got into a serious car accident in early October, 2009. I was found on the ground unconscious and suffering intense brain injury. A teacher that I worked with, Mr. Wadi, and wonderful Peace Corps staff, took care of me and sent me by airplane and helicopter to a hospital in South Africa. I was put into a medically induced coma for about two-and-a-half weeks, and then woke up. I have since been recovering. My South African doctors at Unitas Hospital (who were wonderfully caring and great workers) said I could die or recover poorly. I get all of this information from my loving father, mother, and stepmother who were by my side in South Africa – I don't actually remember the car accident, the coma, or anything related to the accident. I believe this to be a blessing, because it all sounds quite scary to me, even today. While I was in a coma, I was in the hospital next to a man who named "Flip" Meyer. The moment I woke up, Flip died. As my parents were cheering for my recovery, Flip's family was suffering at losing him. I got to meet Flip's wife, named Koekie, my last week in South Africa. Although I cannot remember him, I do believe that Flip helped to save me right before he left. Maybe, while in a coma, my spirit was actually off doing athletics with Flip. I need to thank Flip and to thank you. Peace Corps staff (who were the best to volunteer for and the sweetest at helping me) sent me back to California from South Africa about three weeks ago. Now I'm here in the USA, and continuing my recovery. It will take time for me to fully recover – I spend a lot of time visiting doctors, sleeping, and thinking so often of YOU—some who I know very well and some whom I have never met--- YOU who prayed for me or sent love my way. Prayer and love from many different areas helps my recovery. Different folks of different or no religion sent thoughts of love and recovery to me – and YOU HELPED. Since this accident I find I'm praying quite often myself. My biggest prayer is asking God to help, bless, and love you immensely because you have helped to save me. Whether you are my family, Peace Corps, new South African friends, old friends, or strangers, please hear me. Your thoughts for me helped. Your sending of love brought me home. I owe you my life. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Sending you all great love and prayer too. Please feel free to forward this to others you know that have helped me with their love and prayers these last two months. Love, sincerely, Shana |
|
|---|
The Business of Our Towns
|
It's Our Nature |
Slo Coast Life |
Slo Coast Arts
|
|---|
