A Short Story Of Luck: Brain Trauma Survivors

A Story of Luck: Brain Trauma Survivors

Would you consider serious head trauma survivors lucky? Well, survivors of brain trauma are in fact lucky. Phineas Gage was lucky, and Amy Davis too. As survivors, they show determination and that luck is something that you make for yourself, not something that is given to you wrapped up with a bow.
Phineas Gage was a very lucky survivor of brain trauma. First of all, he didn’t die when a tamping iron went through his head. On page 6 it states, “It takes a fraction of a fraction of a second for the iron rod to pass from cheekbone to forehead, through and through.” It was very unlikely for him to actually survive the accident, considering the tamping iron went straight through his brain. It was also extremely lucky that it was at the exact angle that is was at, because if it weren’t than Phineas Gage would have been no more. Another reason that he was lucky is that he still had the support of his family, and could still occasionally experience loving emotions. He moved back home with his mother, and loved his nieces and nephews. Phineas got along very well with children, such as his nieces and

nephews, and animals. “He seems happiest when he is with children and animals,” (46). The previous quote shows that he is lucky because he managed to find something to love and cherish. Having something to hold on to like that is very important to be happy, even in the most difficult times. He also managed to find work even with his mental state. Page 46 states, “In August 1852, Phineas leaves New England forever, bound for Chile and a new life as a stagecoach driver.” This shows that he managed to get work and continue on with his daily life, because it includes him pursuing work in Chile and making a new life for himself. Moving to Chile was a very important thing for Phineas to do. It allowed him to do more on his own and also start a career. He was lucky to even get the opportunity.
Another survivor of brain trauma is Amy Davis. Similarly, Amy Davis was also lucky. She had been doing an advanced cheerleading stunt called the wall-up basket toss when her partner was unable to catch her the way he was supposed to. Instead of catching her by her waist he caught he by her legs. This acted as a catapult and her head was slammed into the ground. There were no coaches or spotters around to help, so it seemed less likely that she would make it. She spent about two weeks in the hospital, and when she was released she had some memory, concentration, and depression problems. However, with some serious determination and music, she managed to make a full mental recovery. Amy completed her schooling and started dancing. Amy also began to speak at many different sport games about cheerleading safety. Amy used her story to teach people about ways to be safe while cheerleading, and helped coaches understand the importance of having multiple spotters and being there while the team was practicing. Amy was even able to become Miss Utah. Amy Davis was, and is, definitely very lucky.
In conclusion, survivors of brain trauma are lucky.

One reason is the fact that they are survivors. Actually surviving a near death situation is lucky by itself. To add to that, plenty of them are able to continue with their daily lives. For instance, even though Phineas had a very difficult temper to work with, he managed to find work as a stagecoach. Amy was also able to have a pretty normal life. Although she didn’t want to go back to cheerleading, she was able to pick up dancing. The luck doesn’t even stop there! They both recovered physically and were able to do many physical activities according to their wants and needs. Furthermore, they both found something that made them happy that they loved. For Phineas it was animals and children. For Amy it was the arts and helping others. Therefore, brain trauma survivors are

lucky.