Friday, August 23, 1991 - North Shore News - 27 AUTOMOTIVES Emotional costs of car accidents often forgotten EACH YEAR, more than 45,000 B.C. residents are injured in motor vehicle accidents. For most of them, is just the beginning of their the accident troubles. The real hardships, recurring physical, emotional and financial problems, often come after the crash. They may continue for years, and sometimes, for a lifetime. The story of Miss G. (her name is being withheld at her request), a North Vancouver accountant, is an example of what thousands of people go through every year: courageous personal struggles to regain ordinary, normal lifestyles. In 1986, Miss G. was attempt- ing to make a left turn at a con- trolled intersection in’ Richmond. A car darted out from the oncom- ing left-turn lane, and smashed in- to the right side of her small hat- chback. Her head hit the door pillar and her knee struck the steering wheel, but at the time, she experienced no serious injuries. It was two years later that Miss G. began to lose the use of her legs. Her doc- tor diagnosed a pinched nerve, likely a result of the accident. “At first, my legs felt cold when I was in the car, and I would have to cover them with a Dianket.. 1 couldn’t stand very well, and my back started to bother me. I would have tc get up Greg Wilson AUTOMOTION at S o’clock in the morning and sit on the corner of my bed and rock myself back and forth. I couldn’t get going until 6 o’clock.”” Within nine months, she lost the use of her legs entirely. ‘‘All I could do was wiggle my toes,’’ she recalls. Her doctors recommended Formula race cars on view at Delbrook Esso A NORTH Vancouver race car driver and at least three race cars will be on display at Delbrook Esso, 3707 Delbrook Ave., in North Vancouver on Aug. 24. North Vancouver driver Michaet Clifford, who has been racing a Formuia Ford in the Yokahama Series will be on hand at the gas station between 3 p.m. and §. 945 WEST 1ST ST. NORTH VANCOUVER 984-4111 (next to Beaver Lumber) Also on hand will be three race cars, including 2 Formula 1600 Ford and a Players Trans Am. The event is being held to try and promote the Molson Indy race, set to be held in Van- couver ist Septeinber. The public is invited to sit in the cars and have their pictures * Thousands of color chores, ¢ Oven-bated finish » Free estimates on bodywork © Written guarantee HOURS Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm Saturday 10am-2pm Vans. tucks and commercial vetuctes by estimats Rust repay and Dodywork extra MAACO Auto Painting & Bodyworks are independent franchises af MAACO Enterprises Prices & hours may vary "Call us TODAY for FREE ESTIMATES! an operation that had a 50% chance of success. She would ei- ther walk out of the hospital, or never walk again. “{ didn’t want to have the operation, so I decided to go to a nursing home instead. They put me into bed the first week. The next week they brought me a walker and they said it’s time for you to get up and walk. I said ‘1 can’t.” They said ‘you can do it, we know you can do it." They gave me that incentive to try.”’ After five months of therapy and a considerable amount of hard work, Miss G. was able to walk with a cane. She credits the ‘tender-loving care’ she received at the nursing home for her miracu- lous recovery. Though ecstatic that she is able to walk again, Miss G. has other problems to worry about. ICBC determined that the accident was {00% her fault because she faiied to yield the right of way to an on- coming car. Miss G. disagrees the accident was entirely her fault, but nevertheless, she lost her four-year safe driving discount and had to pay «. deductible amount on her collision coverage. But the real financial pain came from being unemployed. “I applied at dozens of jobs, but f just couldn't find one. When employers find out that I have physical problems they just don’t call me back.’’ She feels she is be- ing discriminated against because of her back problems, but feels there is little she can do about it. Miss G. is now able to drive again, but her car sits idly in her garage. “I can't afford the insurance payments. If ¥ had a job, then 1 could have the car.”” Get Your Honda In Shape For The Summer. When your Honda needs a little render loving care, don’t trust your pride and joy with anything less than genuine Honda Parts & Service. © Factory trained technicians. © We fix it right the first time. © Dollar for dollar you won't get better value anywhere. © Open 6 days a week. Insist On Genuine arts & Service 725 MARINE DRIVE NORTH VANCOUVER 984-0331 NEWS photo Cindy Goodmar NORTH VANCOUVER accountant Miss G. 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