Brain Injury, Faith, Health, Update, Wellness Cazoshay Marie Brain Injury, Faith, Health, Update, Wellness Cazoshay Marie

From Wreckage to Resilience: Celebrating Another Year of Overcoming and Embracing Life's Second Chance

They say that surviving a near-death experience changes you, and it couldn't be truer. Today marks the six-year anniversary since I emerged from the wreckage of a traumatic car accident, being struck by a car at 48mph while crossing the street in downtown Phoenix in 2017, and as I sit here, reflecting on the past year, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and resilience. Join me on this journey as I share my thoughts on this significant milestone and the lessons I've learned along the way.

  • Gratitude: Surviving a traumatic accident has taught me the true value of life. It's easy to take our existence for granted, but when faced with the fragility of our mortality, gratitude becomes an essential part of our daily lives. Every sunrise, every laugh, and every embrace takes on a newfound significance. I am grateful for the simple joys and the chance to experience them once more.

  • Resilience: The journey to recovery has been challenging, both physically and emotionally. But through the pain and the obstacles, I've discovered an inner strength that I never knew existed. The human spirit is remarkably resilient, and it's during our darkest moments that we find the courage to persevere. I've learned to face adversity head-on, embracing the challenges and transforming them into opportunities for growth with the help of God, my family and friends.

  • Perspective: Surviving a traumatic car accident has gifted me with a fresh perspective on life. The trivial worries that once consumed my thoughts have faded away, replaced by a profound appreciation for what truly matters. Relationships, love, personal growth, and making a positive impact in the world have taken center stage. I've learned to let go of the insignificant and embrace the beauty of the present moment.

  • Healing: Physical and emotional healing takes time, and it's a journey unique to each individual. As I reflect on my healing journey, I'm proud of the progress I've made, both physically and emotionally. Healing is not linear, and there have been many setbacks along the way. But with determination and the support of loved ones, I've learned to navigate through the ups and downs, celebrating each milestone as a victory.

  • Empathy and Connection: Having experienced the trauma of a traumatic pedestrian-car accident, I've developed a deeper sense of empathy and compassion for others. I now understand the importance of reaching out and supporting those who may be facing their own struggles. Connecting with others who have gone through similar experiences has been invaluable, reminding me that I am not alone and that together, we can find strength in our shared stories. I am blessed to now be a speaker, content creator and disability advocate, sharing my experience and advocating for the disability community.

Surviving a traumatic car accident has forever changed me. Today, as I commemorate the six-year anniversary of that life-altering event, I am filled with a mix of emotions. Gratitude, resilience, perspective, healing, and empathy have become my guiding forces. The journey has been challenging, but it has also been transformative, reminding me of the incredible power of the human spirit. I look forward to the future with renewed determination and a deep appreciation for the precious gift of life.


©Cazoshay Marie, 2023. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cazoshay Marie with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

D.I.D. with Cazoshay and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.

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12 Beautiful Quotes About Fall

pumpkin on the deck.jpeg

Autumn, it's definitely my favorite time of year. This is my first year enjoying it in Arizona, and I have to say it's pretty different than experiencing it in Alaska or Oregon. As I mentioned in my post for my Pumpkin Spice Superfood Smoothie recipe, autumn in Arizona is kind of a relative term given that there's not really any leaves to turn colors and temps are still in the 90's.

But that doesn't mean that I can't get into the Fall spirit. The changing over from Summer to Fall mirrors the change in seasons I've recently experienced in my life due to the accident. I'm still recovering from the injuries I sustained and to say that my life is different now as a result of the accident would be an understatement. But just as the new season approaches, I'm learning to work with the things that are out of my control right now, and doing my best to prepare for what's ahead by learning what I can from the season that I'm currently in.

Read on below for 12 beautiful quotes about autumn.

Fall is about to show us how beautiful it is to let go of dead things.
— Unknown
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
— Albert Camus
Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.
— Lauren DeStefano, "Wither"
I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
— Henry David Thoreau
Autumn...the year’s last, loveliest smile.
— William Cullen Bryant
Aprils have never meant much to me, autumns seem that season of beginning, spring.
— Truman Capote, "Breakfast at Tiffany's"
Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.
— Chad Sugg
I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.
— Nathaniel Hawthorne, "The American Notebooks" Oct. 10, 1842
Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.
— Jim Bishop
Have you come to sing pumpkin carols?
— Linus, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"
sauvie island pumpkins.jpg
The tints of autumn...a mighty flower garden blossoming under the spell of the enchanter, frost.
— John Greenleaf Whittier
Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
— George Eliot
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