A year since the accident

That's my friend Sandra.

My regular blog readers might remember a post I wrote about my young friend Sandra Murillo. Sandra lost her sight when she was three years old, and now she is a journalism student at the University of Illinois. A year ago she, her father, and her brother were in a terrible car accident on their way home from Champaign for Thanksgiving break. Her father was critically injured in the accident, and her beloved brother and only sibling Chris died at the scene. Sandra walked away with minor injuries.

It’s been hard for Sandra to talk about the accident, but she says writing about it helps. In a post called It’s Been One Year Since My Life Changed Forever, Sandra describes what happened that day:

I knew my mom was on her way to the scene of the accident, and I gave one of the nurses her cellphone number, although I was sure she wouldn’t answer – like me she was in utter disbelief. “We can’t get a hold of your mom. Is there anyone else we can contact?” she asked. “Yes, Peggy Madera,” I heard myself say. Till this day I can’t understand how I was able to say Peggy’s phone number off the top of my head with all the mixed thoughts racing through my mind.

Peggy Madera was Sandra’s orientation and mobility teacher. Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists show blind people like us how to use a white cane. They teach us ways to map routes, navigate crowds, interpret sensory landmarks (textures, sounds and smells), and know when to ask for help. With training, we blind types can move confidently and safely through unfamiliar areas and use public transit to get wherever we need to go.

I met Peggy Madera years and years ago when I interviewed her for a story for the Chicago Tribune. Peggy is renowned in the Chicago area for her skills as an orientation and mobility instructor. In addition to teaching students their way around physically, she teaches them to be kind, and to appreciate the wonders of life. A good orientation and mobility instructor is a Godsend to a blind person, and Peggy Madera is definitely a Godsend to my friend Sandra. Again from Sandra’s post:

Peggy was my O&M teacher from preschool through high school. This long student-teacher relationship allowed us to get to know each other very well. It also caused my family and me to become good friends with Peggy. Many people have asked me “why did you call Peggy?” I have never been able to directly answer this question, but now I have realized the true reason.

To me, Peggy was not just my teacher; as I said she also became a friend to me and my family. For this reason, I knew she would be there for us the night of the accident if I asked her to. I have also come to trust Peggy.

I know from talking with Sandra that she lost her white cane in the accident. Sandra has used a cane since she was in pre-school. The evening was disorienting enough, and without her cane Sandra felt especially lost. Peggy arrived at the emergency room with a spare white cane in hand for Sandra. She stayed and held Sandra’s hand throughout the emergency room ordeal, and was there when Sandra’s mom arrived to tell Sandra that her brother had died. Sandra’s father was in critical condition and had been airlifted to another hospital, so Sandra’s mother couldn’t stay long. She had to return to the other hospital while her husband underwent surgery. She knew Sandra would be in good hands with Peggy Madera.

Peggy brought Sandra home, found her a clean nightgown and tucked her in to a warm bed. Peggy sat with Sandra at her brother’s wake, describing what was going on and who was entering the room to pay respects to Chris. She was at Sandra’s side during the funeral and has traveled to the University of Illinois with Sandra to help her with routes to class. Once again, from Sandra’s blog post:

Tia Peggy, I am glad I called you the night of the accident. This situation has made our relationship become stronger. Although we are not blood relatives, my parents and I regard you as part of our family. Again, thanks very much for taking care of me that night.

Thank you, Sandra, for having the courage to write out your feelings this way. Your post reminds us how fortunate we are to have friends and family to turn to when we need them. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I know I sure have a lot to be thankful for.