A young woman who was nearly killed by an alleged drunk driver in Hudson, Que. one year ago is marking the anniversary in a very unconventional way: with a photo shoot.
The 21-year-old is still recovering from a long list of injuries, but she’s embracing her second lease on life.
“It’s something to celebrate,” Tina Adams said. “I survived this.”
“It’s a second chance that I got at life, so why not celebrate it?”
The collision happened just around the corner from her house on June 12, 2015. She was jogging on the side of the road when she was hit by an alleged drunk driver.
Adams was in a medically-induced coma for six days to recover from a fractured skull and spine. She suffered from a blood clot in her brain, several fractured ribs, punctured lungs and internal bleeding.
“My hip and pelvis were completely destroyed and the doctors said it was the worst one that they’ve ever seen,” Adams said.
The Hudson resident has had 15 surgeries and still needs at least three more, including a complete hip replacement, before she can ever walk without crutches.
But nothing seems to be holding her back from focusing on the positive aspects of her life.
“I feel amazing,” she said. “I’m so proud of where I am today and I’m so happy to be here still and to be with my family.”
Her parents are the first to admit it’s been a rough road to recovery. They have been by her side, admiring her strength, every step of the way.
“She’s so strong I don’t think I’ve ever met somebody as strong as her,” her mother Debbie Lyon said.
“She came a long way from the time of the accident,” her father Evan Adams added. “We’re really proud of her.”
They weren’t surprised when their daughter told them how she wanted to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the crash – by embracing her new body, scars and all.
“She wants to show women to be happy with your body no matter what the size or scars. Be happy with who you are,” Lyon said.
After posting the pictures online, Adams has received nothing but positive feedback.
“I think it’s amazing,” she said. “A lot of people messaged me saying, ‘thank you so much for sharing,’ that ‘it makes me feel so much better about myself.'”
Local photographer Emilie Olson said she was honoured when Adams asked her to take part in such a unique project.
“I’m used to doing boudoirs and engagement sessions where the purpose is pretty obvious,” Olson explained.
“For her, it was really to show her scars and to show it in a really positive way.”
Adams had just finished her first year in police technology at John Abbott College when she was severely injured. While her dreams of becoming a police officer were cut short that day, she’s more determined than ever to make a positive difference in the world.
“I don’t have time to be angry. I have to stay positive so I don’t have time to be upset at what happened,” Adams said.
The 22-year-old who was behind the wheel at the time of the crash will be back in court next week.
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