Tara Trainer is a senior pitcher from Lebanon, Ohio who made the 2015 Hot 100 list and was a 1^st Team All-American this past year, but, frankly, it’s a miracle that she’s still playing the sport she loves after going through a horrific, life-threatening accident two years ago.

I asked Tara to recap that experience and how it’s made her thankful for what she has in life, let alone the ability to fully come back to dominating on the softball field… this is her story.

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I would like to start off by thanking FullCountSoftball.com for encouraging people like me to share their inspirational stories.

The timing couldn’t have been better. With Thanksgiving upon us, we all think back on things we are grateful for and I feel like I have been particularly blessed.

All my life, I dreamed of playing Division 1 college softball and on November 12^th I signed my National Letter of Intent to play softball at Indiana University. I know I couldn’t have made it where I am without the guidance of God, the support of my family and help from many, many people.

Because of this, I am calling my story “My Journey of Faith” because it has only been through faith and grace that I have come so far.

The Accident

Two years ago, right before the start of my sophomore year at Lebanon (Ohio) High School, I was in the hospital recovering from a near fatal car accident.

As I lay there fighting for my life, I thought back to the beginning of the summer. I had a successful year pitching for my high school varsity team and I was being highly recruited by many D1 colleges.

My travel team played in the PGF Nationals in Huntington Beach, Calif. and my coach, Glen Widner, and I were in contact with many college coaches. I was planning on making unofficial visits to several schools in the fall.

I was on top of the world.

August 16, 2012 was a day that changed my life forever. My friends and I were headed to see a movie when we were hit by another car. Everyone in the car was injured, but my injuries were the most severe.

I was CareFlighted (taken by helicopter) to Dayton Children’s Hospital where a trauma team was waiting for me. I remember waking up in the hospital and asking what happened.

I was in ICU for three days and it took a total of seven days until all my vital signs were stabilized. My doctors kept telling me that I was lucky to be alive and that I could have been paralyzed from the neck down.

I had broken ribs, collapsed lungs, a fractured pelvis and a ruptured spleen. Unfortunately, that was nothing compared to an occipital condoyle fracture (the base of my skull was fractured).

As I lay in bed and wondered what my future held, I kept asking God “Why me?”

It was hard to be thankful not knowing if I would ever recover or be able to go back to school. I didn’t know if I would be able to play softball again. I thought my chances of playing college softball were over.

Facing a Life Without Softball

My life came suddenly to a screeching stop.

Everything that was normal changed the day of my accident. As my body slowly healed from my injuries, I was forced to wear a neck brace every day and night for over four months. It was extremely hard to eat or sleep.

I knew I was blessed to be alive, but I had trained my entire life to play softball and all of the sudden I faced a life without it. I was devastated.

But all the while, people were praying for me and God answered their prayers by surrounding me with a special team of people who gave me support, hope and encouragement daily. They helped me to understand that I did not have to give up my dream of playing softball.

I knew I had a long road ahead of me, physically and emotionally. My Dad and Mom never left my side as they took me to endless hours of physical therapy and countless doctor appointments. They sacrificed so much to help me realize my dream again, and I didn’t want to let them down.

I missed a total of six weeks of school and then went part-time until I had the strength to go back to full-time school. Along with my doctors and therapists, I also spent an hour a day with a tutor. She came to my house and I had to work very hard to cover all the subjects you take as a sophomore in high school.

With the help of some great teachers, I managed to maintain my grades. During this time, I kept telling my doctors that I wanted to play softball again. They reminded me to be patient and let my many injuries heal. I waited many months for my neurosurgeon to clear me to play only to have him tell me that I still needed another few months of healing. This seemed to go on forever!

Finally, though, my persistence paid off.

I still remember the day that my doctor finally agreed that I could start working out like it was yesterday. I immediately challenged my physical therapists to help me begin practicing softball. But the high school softball season had already started and I still wasn’t ready.

As I watched my team from the dugout, I accepted the fact that my role had changed on the team. I cheered for my teammates and helped with the pitch count charts. This really changed my perspective on everything.

I knew I still had a long road ahead of me to gain the strength back that I lost from the accident. But I knew I was a part of the team and I made the decision then and there to commit to the hard work it would take to regain my athletic ability.

I had to put in extra workouts daily and I had taken baby steps at the beginning, but after nine long months, I was finally cleared to play.

Back on the Field

I got to pitch in a few high school games at the end of my sophomore season, but I was only performing at 70 percent. As summer approached, I played for the Ohio Lasers Black travel team. Coach Michelle Gardner from Indiana University saw me play that summer and I sent her an online link to the ASA 18U Gold Nationals in Clearwater, FL.

In the fall of my junior year, I was invited for an unofficial visit to Indiana University and I also attended the Hoosiers pitching camp. Afterwards, I was offered a scholarship and I accepted. I couldn’t believe it! All the hard work and sacrifice made by both my parents and myself helped my dream to come true.

During my junior year, the Lebanon High School softball team finished in the top 20 in the nation. We had amazing year and the community support was overwhelming. I was selected for many athletic and academic awards, and I know these awards wouldn’t have been possible without the help I received from my support team.

My senior year I was selected for National Honor Society. I am proud to be recognized on and off the field and I am eager to give back to my community and school. When I graduate in the spring of 2015, I will be graduating with Honors. I feel like the “Honors” distinction represents not just my achievement, but also the hard work of so many others who have been instrumental in my life.

My Amazing Team

I am so GRATEFUL for the amazing team of people God put in my life!

These people kept me on my path, encouraged me to never give up and helped me to grow in faith. I have learned to appreciate the things in life that you love as you never know when they can be taken away.

I have also learned to live each day like it might be my last. Being able to play sports is such a privilege. As an athlete, I consider myself lucky to be able to do the things every day that many people only get to dream about.

I’ve learned a deeper sense of gratitude for my blessings and a greater appreciation for everything in life. I have learned to enjoy every day and that even a bad day is still a good day to be alive.

And I have learned that it truly takes a team for any of us to be successful. God graced me with so many great and amazing people! I love them dearly for the countless hours of schooling and volunteering they have invested in my life.

So, as this Thanksgiving Day inspires all of us to give thanks for the many people who love and help us as we journey through life, please allow me to thank the following:

• God
• The power of prayer, as so many people prayed for me during my hospital stay and recovery
• My Dad and Mom for their unconditional love and support
• My cats (Simba & Peanut) who helped me heal
• My grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins for all their help and support
• Conner and Ginger being there for me during my recovery
• Air Care Flight, Antioch Church of The Y, Atrium Medical Center, Beacon Orthopedics Doctors & Physical Therapists, chiropractors, classmates, college coaches, Dayton Children’s Hospital doctors and nurses and staff, Deerfield Family doctors and nurses, EMT Medical, friends, journalists for your amazing stories, Leslie Savage Photography, Lebanon High coaches and teammates , LHS teachers, tudors, guidance counselors and staff, Mamma DiSalvo’s Restaurant & Staff, Ohio Lasers Black Softball Team coaches and teammates, OSU Medical doctors and staff, personal trainers, physical therapists, pitching and hitting coaches, Rivers Crossing Community Church and Pastor Paul, Salon Dimiti, my softball community, Steve & John’s Gym, teammates, volunteers, and the YMCA-Lebanon
• Finally, I also need to thank Coach Gardner and the IU coaching staff for giving me this opportunity to play softball for Indiana University. Words can’t express how I feel right now knowing that I’m going to play softball at IU and be a part of the Hoosier family.

I hope all of you have a blessed day and enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family.

I hope my story has inspired you to reflect on the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

We can’t make it through life without the love and support of one another. Take time today to thank the people in your life who have supported you.

And don’t forget to thank God for taking care of all of us. My Journey of Faith has taught me that with God, anything is possible!

Tara Trainer