Erasing the Sky and Creating a New Horizon

Book excerpt: Erasing the Sky and Creating a New Horizon Living Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury Jaime Polites With Gabriella Gafni No one could have imagined that November 28, 1994, an ordinary day in Jaime Polites' life, would forever change her future. At 18, the world was at her feet. Through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, Jaime enjoyed the gifts of hope and promise. Always on the go, Jaime more than lived up to her namesake, the Bionic Woman, "Jaime Sommers," a fictional character in the 1970's television series. Juggling school, work, and an active social life was simply a matter of course for the vivacious teen, whose magnetic personality and infectious laugh drew everyone she met into her world. Then, just one semester away from earning her Associates Degree and moving on to college, Jaime made a fateful decision that forever altered her life. By accepting a dinner invitation from Eric, her former boyfriend, she had hoped to catch up, show him that she had moved on and was ascending the ladder of success. That innocent plan tranformed into a nightmare when, on the way home, Eric drifted into oncoming traffic. Although Eric's side of the car was totaled, he miraculously emerged with only a sprained ankle and a temporary limp. Jaime's side of the vehicle, however, displayed a minor, almost imperceptible dent. Tragically, the passenger inside was rendered comatose and fighting for her life. Judy and Gary Polites rushed to the hospital to be at their daughter's bedside, hoping against hope that she would defy the odds - and she did; but the road was long and painful, filled with uncertainty and incorrect diagnoses. After trial and error - and, ultimately, proper medical intervention, Jaime discovered that she was experiencing the symptoms of epilepsy. Supported and uplifted by her mother's love, strength, and tenacity, Jaime slowly integrated into life again. Despite intense personal disappointments and physical setbacks, her never-give-up approach never failed to win the day - and always does. In her compelling autobiography, Erasing the Sky and Creating a New Horizon - Living Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury, Jaime triumphantly demonstrates that all is possible through faith, hope, and optimism. Read her story, be inspired, and acknowledge the beauty of showing up for life. Jaime is an ambassador for Cyberonics, the pioneer in Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy.