Last year, math teacher Stephanie Sojkowski and her family’s lives had changed forever when a driver under the influence crossed the double yellow lines and struck their car head on.
“The recovery process is very complicated. Complicated in ways I have never imagined and in ways I hope no other family ever has to experience, ” Ms. Sojkowski said. On the return home from a ski trip last year during first semester the family was hit by a reckless driver and left with severe injuries. The family has been going to therapy to process the accident. Through both mental and physical therapy, Ms. Sojkowski is hoping to return for the second semester this school year.
“While I feel stronger, the pain is still present daily,” Ms. Sojkowski said. The accident left Ms. Sojkowski with broken bones in her face, nose, jaw, neck, pelvis, back, femur, arm, and nerve damage throughout her body.
She has had several surgeries that placed screws and plates in her body in an attempt to heal and restore structure.
“It’s been tough,” math teacher, friend, and colleague of Ms. Sojkowski, Lauren Jo Machnik said regarding the math department in her absence. The math department has needed a substitute, retired teacher Patrick Kelly, to fill Ms. Sojkowski’s absence for the past eight months. Although the recovery process has been unimaginably tough, Ms. Sojkowski can walk, drive, and is slowly getting back to her life before the accident.
“We are all going to miss our ski trips this winter, but our goal is to be able to do all the things we love again soon,” Ms. Sojkowski said.
After such a traumatic experience, the Sojkowski family maintains a positive outlook for the future.
