Sarah sustained a severe traumatic brain injury at the age of 15 after getting in a car with a underage drinking driver. She is the author of You’re Getting Better Every Day. After spreading her story to audiences nationwide, she is now a wife and mother of two girls. Visit her blog at www.usandmom.wordpress.com where she speaks about her journey of parenting and self-discovery.
Her writings have been published in Hope magazine and ADDitude magazine. Most recently, she has become a yoga instructor for children dealing with those who have experienced trauma, and earned her Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher Certificate with a Trauma Informed Focus.
Visit Sarah’s story in her book and on her website www.sarahjspeaks.com as she continues to fight the battle of drinking and driving, underage drinking, poor choices, and traumatic brain injury awareness.
Sarah speaks of what it takes to overcome tragedy while dealing with a new identity. The decision to accept and live with her brain injury has opened up new doors as well as provide her with a new meaning of life. 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 such as tying a shoe, buttoning pants, holding silverware), and the social challenge of resuming school life.
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 that stand in her way. Having to take notes in school was a challenge for her, as the crash had 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 the national efforts to promote traffic safety. She has spoken to a countless number of elementary, middle, and high schools; colleges; and organizations nationwide, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Students Against Destructive Decisions, National Student Safety Program, Governor’s Youth Leadership Safety Program, and the National Organization of Youth Safety.
“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 hope of helping the audience members help themselves.
Speaking to people across the country is what gives her hope. Kids listen to her as she can relate to their age group.
Now a wife and mom of two, visit her blog, www.usandmom.wordpress.com, to read about her life now, after the crash. Read more, watch videos, and purchase her book at her website, www.sarahjspeaks.com.