Sarah's Story

Meet Sarah

Sarah was no stranger to endurance. As a 40-year-old single mother of two and a high-performing career in labor relations, she was used to balancing the demands of work and home life. In addition to her busy career, she was an avid cyclist, training rigorously for the DALMAC Tour—an intense five-day, 382-mile ride from East Lansing to the Mackinac Bridge.

But one summer day, everything changed. While on a training ride one evening, Sarah’s path unexpectedly crossed with a deer. Despite slowing, she was unable to avoid a collision with the deer while traveling at 18.7 mph. The impact sent her crashing to the pavement, her helmet shattering in four places. She lay motionless, bleeding from the back of her head, unable to move. She doesn’t recall calling a friend for help—her smartwatch and helmet tracker did that for her. In the aftermath, Sarah was diagnosed with a concussion. The initial shock masked the full extent of her injuries, but within hours, she was overwhelmed with dizziness and nausea. She couldn’t drive, sit up, or even care for her children. Her world had suddenly come to a halt.

The Road to Recovery

Sarah’s doctor referred her to Origami Rehabilitation, where she began a comprehensive recovery program. Her first session tackled debilitating vertigo through the Epley maneuver—an experience she describes as “miserable but magical,” instantly alleviating her spinning sensations. But there was still a long way to go. 

• Vision Therapy: Addressing processing difficulties she hadn't even realized she had.
• Physical Therapy: Focusing on her neck, spine, and balance to regain stability.
• Speech Therapy: Helping her address executive functioning and rebuild the complex reasoning skills needed for her job.
• Medical Oversight: Guided by Origami's Medical Director, Dr. Schlinger, who emphasized the importance of patience: "If you rush this, your brain will take longer to recover, and you may not reach the level you want."

Throughout her recovery, Sarah was struck by Origami's compassionate, individualized approach—unlike any clinical experience she'd ever had.

Back In the Saddle - Literally and Figuratively

With Origami’s help, Sarah returned to work just two months after the accident, though the transition was anything but easy. But she applied the tools she learned in therapy—setting boundaries, allowing herself more rest, and prioritizing balance. As her strength returned, so did her confidence. She got back on her bike, slowly working through the fear that lingered from the crash. Incredibly, just one year later, she completed the DALMAC race she had been training for when the accident happened.

Thriving, Not Just Surviving

Today, Sarah is as active as ever. She’s running, backpacking, and hiking, and now training for a triathlon and the Zoo to Mack ride this summer! While Sarah always believed in safety precautions, she had never realized the benefit of having those precautions in place. Now she would advise people to understand and use the safety tools available to them fully. You never know when an emergency caller or collision detector might save your life. Sarah’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, expert rehabilitation, and the unwavering strength of the human spirit. By sharing her story, she hopes to inspire others and raise awareness of Origami’s life-changing services—ensuring that those facing unexpected challenges can find the support, hope, and healing they deserve, just as she did.