A Life Transformed - By Accident An Inspirational Memoir

"You never know what tomorrow will bring." Helen Liere finds out how life-changing an ordinary day can be. When returning home from presenting a workshop she is nearly killed after being hit head-on by an out-of-control pickup truck. This is her inspiring true story of recovery and transformation.
As Liere recalls that fateful day, she lets the reader into her mind as she realizes that she has just been hit by a vehicle traveling at least 60 mph. The irony of this near fatal crash only comes to her later: she had presented a traffic safety workshop on the correct use of child safety seats just the night before. And the crash happens near where she grew up and attended school.
After her Life Flight to one of the two trauma hospitals in Portland, Oregon, we see what she sees as she goes in and out of consciousness. We can almost hear the drill as the doctors insert chest tubes into her two deflated lungs. Later we see the drab intensive care room as she regains consciousness and sees the fear in the eyes of her husband and children. We see her try to understand just how damaged her body is. We experience her feelings as this very independent and successful business woman realizes she is going to be dependent on others for a while.
We see how woefully unprepared she was to return home from the hospital. Arriving home without the furniture or equipment she needed just to be comfortable, let alone recover, she learns what questions she should have asked before leaving the safety of the hospital. Watch as this very independent woman learns how to accept being totally dependent on others. Meet her inexperienced but loving family caregivers. Experience her feelings and pain as she works to recover enough to try to walk again.
Her journey back to health and peace is not an easy one. It is difficult for her to accept that she now has a disability and that some parts of her life are lost forever. Although she tries to pick up the pieces of her successful consulting business, eventually she realizes that to regain her health and find peace, she has to change. Part of that change means closing down her business. Her insurance and legal battles are difficult, but the reader will profit from seeing how she avoids financial ruin.
Her faith plays a strong role in her transformation and, in fact, it too becomes more vital as she becomes more focused on what is in her heart. In essence, her physical loss becomes her soul's gain.
As she becomes more reflective and tuned into her communication with God, she realizes what really matters in life. She sums up her life priorities in powerful chapters on faith, family and friends, health (mental and physical), and helping others. Readers can see that Liere does not let this life-changing event ruin her life. Instead it is a detour, a redirection that leads to a richer life.
Her experiences in recovery and getting her life back in balance will resonate with the many people who have been in an auto crash, as well as with those who have lost physical abilities or faced serious health challenges. Readers will be inspired by her determination, courage, optimism, and faith. The lessons she learns and her eventual transformation to a life of peace and happiness will inspire and encourage those who have faced serious changes (and their loved ones) - and even those who want to be better prepared should a tragedy occur. A study guide is included for book clubs and faith/church study groups.