Mindi Hansen
My name is Mindi Hansen. On November 14th, 2018, I was on my way to work at one of my jobs, driving with no seatbelt in my lifted blue with flames Ford F-150 truck; when my whole life changed with the roll of my truck. I still don't remember it, but apparently I lost control of the truck, for a reason only God knows. Witnesses say that I overcorrected and crossed the road at which time I hit the upward embankment, then my truck rolled back into the road. It only rolled once and landed on all fours, but I flew out of it and landed under it. I was fortunate enough to be real close to a little airport where multiple medivac helicopters were housed and I received help quickly. I was rushed to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where surgeons saved my life. My initial CAT scan was stopped midway through to start my craniotomy decompression surgery. I was in such bad shape that no anesthesia was needed for this major surgery. Over the next few days, my family learned the extent of my injuries. Originally I had a severe TBI, 10 spine fractures (the worst being a combustion of C7), a broken clavicle (collar bone), a broken sternum that popped a hole in one of my lungs, a lacerated spleen and/or liver, a brain stem stump that had been knocked loose, plus cuts and bruises everywhere. My face was so swollen that my eyes stayed shut for the first nine days of my initial ICU stay. I was in the vegetative comatose state for almost a month, and on a ventilator for about a month and a half. I only ate through the peg tube to my stomach that I still have, but only use for some of my water intakes for most of 9 months. After multiple surgeries and procedures and multiple hospitals 9 months later, I finally got to go home with some of my family, but none of my independence. Now I have injuries still some due to my accident and some due to my hospital stays and complications along my journey. Besides my brain injury and trouble speaking and thinking as I could before, I was released home as a functional quadriplegic even though I was so close to functional while facilitated; insurance only does so much. My neck bones healed funky and my neck is in the process of regaining the muscle strength needed to support my head.
The Be Perfect Foundation is and already began to provide for me independence recovery and mobility assistance, along with financial assistance, emotional support, and motivation. Be Perfect has done this by granting me a scholarship for therapy at The Perfect Step Paralysis Recovery Center, where I get one on one sessions with excellent paralysis specialized trainers that give me a chance to talk and associate with others while they push me outside my comfort zone except without being pushy. My routine therapy gets me active by giving me something to get out to do that I look forward to doing, even though I don't always show that I look forward to it. I get way more exercise than I was able to get at home without therapy, and every week I am more able to help my family help me with simple things like making phone calls, changing and bathing me, dressing me, and feeding me.
The therapy that I have been getting has helped me make noticeable improvements to my independence and helped me achieve some of my recovery goals. Seeing others with physical problems working out to better themselves and showing their motivation as well as the testimonials and stories I have heard also help re-instill my hope.
Be Perfect Foundation has helped me see that real recovery is possible. They have made it possible for me to attend therapy with an independent style recovery outlook focus. They have helped me accomplish quicker progress in my recovery, by giving me the ability to work out regularly and multiple times a week with equipment to help. They have helped me have something to go out and do other than go to animal stores and get food and to see doctors. They have helped me meet kind, caring, and compassionate people, who have helped motivate me. And they have helped me feel comfortable somewhere while achieving physical abilities that I didn't have before starting at TPS.
I now have some movement of my right hand and arm. My right leg is able to straighten, bend and even support my weight standing. My posture has improved, and I am able to do solid bridges to help change myself, and I am able to make phone calls by myself. And I have taken steps now.
Some of my future goals that the Be Perfect Foundation can help me achieve, that I would like to attain are full use of my right arm and hand so that I can learn to, write with it again, play the guitar and piano again, draw, paint, and do other art again. Eventually, I would like to walk my dogs again starting with Shiloh (mini pom chihuahua 7lbs), but ideally Bailey my 60lb pitbull, and then other dogs like at the shelter so I can volunteer again. On top of this, I would like to regain my ability to get up and feed my animals by my self and be able to get them out to play and hang out without help. And I would like the ability to bake my sister, Ashlee, a birthday cake. Oh, I almost forgot. I'd really really like the ability and confidence to go out on a date but without my sister supervising me.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for helping me get better and making it possible for me to be part of the Be Perfect family. They are truly amazing just like all donors that make it all possible. I could never thank any of you enough. Thank you!!!!
