Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings
Loading
SJ![]()
author
Sarah Victoria Jackson
June 12, 1998: a day she will never remember: When 15 year old, Sarah Jackson, climbed into a car with an underage drinking driver, she didn’t understand that choices can impact dreams. The driver ...view moreJune 12, 1998: a day she will never remember: When 15 year old, Sarah Jackson, climbed into a car with an underage drinking driver, she didn’t understand that choices can impact dreams. The driver lost control and Sarah sustained a severe traumatic brain injury. She was in a coma for 3 ½ weeks and underwent four months of physical, occupational, speech and recreational rehabilitation.
Sarah’s journey guides young people through a devastating ordeal they couldn’t otherwise imagine: accepting and living with brain injury, the grueling hospital stay and rehabilitation process: relearning basic motor skills (tying a shoe, buttoning pants, holding silverware) and the social challenge of resuming school life.
With a journal describing her difficulties, essay reaction’s from friend’s, mom’s journal detailing her fears and hopes, and dad’s monthly newsletters updating friends of her recovery, Sarah is able to show how determination makes it possible to overcome life’s uncertainties.
While it is still a struggle for Sarah to hold her breath underwater, accepting who she has now become, the withdrawals from her friends and the activities she can no longer complete are new obstacles the stand in her way. Having to take notes in school is a challenge for her, as the crash has affected her ability to write. Much of her audience becomes concerned with the fact that her friends treated her so poorly after the crash. Others comment on her strength, bravery, inspiration and willingness to teach others. Sarah is a role model for all people, as they can see the devastating struggles that she has pulled herself through.
Today, Sarah has become a leader in this Nation’s efforts to promote traffic safety. She has spoken to over 15 organizations and a countless number of elementary, middle, high schools and colleges Nationwide. “One Life, One Captain,” is the name of her presentation as she teaches students personal responsibility, healthy choices and that wearing a safety belt can save their life, too. Sarah is available to speak to your organization in hopes to help the audience members help themselves. The following are just some of the many organizations/schools she has spoken to: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), National Student Safety Program (NSSP), National Organization of Youth Safety (NOYS) and the MADD International Candlelight Vigil.
Speaking to Sarah’s peers across the country is what gives her hope. Kids listen to her as she can relate to their age group. Sarah is able to present at your school or organization with her program, “One Life, One Captain.”
Residing in Vermont, she and her husband, Jason Massey, enjoy hiking and the outdoors.view less
Books by Sarah Victoria Jackson
"You're Getting Better Every Day": It’S Not About Sports, Popularity, Hair, Clothes, Make-Up or Boys, It’S About Finding Yourself