Special Thanks to my Hometown

This holiday season I want to publicly thank the people who saved my life last spring. Eight months ago, I was struck by an SUV while biking in Plainfield. I am alive today and will be able to watch my children open their presents on Christmas Day because of so many great people in our town. I hope I can effectively express my gratitude to them and highlight how our community is full of so many kind and compassionate people. Thank you to all the people in the walkers grove neighborhood who ran out of their homes to report the accident. Thank you to drivers who pulled over to help, especially Viola Jolicouer who found me trapped underneath the truck and did not leave the scene until I was in an ambulance. Thank you, Heather Lemke, the community officer that ran from Walkers Grove Elementary and crawled underneath the truck to stay with me until paramedics arrived. Thank you to the Plainfield Police and Fire departments for extracting me from underneath the truck and getting me to the hospital so quickly; your commitment to service and strong action no doubt saved my life. Thank you, Troideah Ringer, my first memory after brain surgery was holding our children’s hands in the hospital, and I knew you would help them get through the night. Thank you to all the school staff that were with my children during and after the accident. Specifically, thank you Dave Stephens for distracting my children with movies at the hospital. Thank you Linda DiLeo and all the amazing Central Elementary teachers who tenderly watched daily over my children like an extended family. Thank you to all my colleagues for their thoughtful coffee visits and words of encouragement. Thank you to all the families at the Avery YMCA, Plainfield Soccer Association, Plainfield Park District, and Plainfield Athletic Club; your thoughts and prayers were much appreciated. This town will forever be in my heart. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and embraces every opportunity to tell friends and family how much they are loved.