My Miracle Man

Tomorrow we leave for Olen's Fourteenth Mission Reunion in Salt Lake City. Sit back. Make yourself comfortable and allow me to tell you why my husband is a miracle.

(Well, one of the reasons, there are many...surviving swimming with alligators...bee attacks...ran over by a tractor...but let's stay focused.)

Olen served in the England, London mission from 1993 to 1994. On January 19th, 1994 the small, four-door car he was driving with three other Elders was hit head on by a semi-truck on a rainy, wet country road. Olen had to be cut out from the wreckage.

Upon impact the engine was thrust onto Olen's lap and face; braking all the bones in his face and causing the loss of his left eye. Olen was conscious but unable to breathe. A husband and wife were behind the semi driving home from their day's work as a paramedic and an ear, nose and throat nurse. They usually didn't take their equipment home with them, but they did that day. They were two angels sent to be there for Olen. They preformed a tracheotomy on the spot for Olen so he could breathe and then he and the other missionaries were transported to the hospital. All badly injured; but all survived.

Olen lay unconscious for seven days in the Norwich Hospital. Besides the bones in his face, both legs and his right arm were broken. He would need immediate reconstructive surgery on his face and eye, set all his broken bones and multiple skin grafts.

This is one of my favorite stories and I'll let Olen tell it in his own words: "When I woke up in this strange place I saw people wearing masks and funny hats. I thought I had been abducted by aliens. I told myself I was going to escape on the count of three. One. Two. Three. But I couldn't move my arms or legs. I could only turn my head. The people came rushing over to me and then everything went black. When I woke up the next time, I saw the face of an angel and I thought I was in Heaven. Then my eye focused and I saw that it was my Mother who was by my side and holding my hand."

Olen's mom, Arlyce, never left his side for the whole three months he was in the Norwich Hospital having surgery after surgery and recovering enough for the long flight home to Arizona on a stretcher.

Back home, in Olen's hometown the community had rallied together to support his family. Olen's sister, Arlissa, put her schooling at University of Arizona on hold to come home and help Olen's dad, Billy Ray (pictured above), manage the household and the four brothers at home while their mom was away caring for Olen.

Olen was finally stable enough to be transported back to the U.S. and then spent another two and a half months in the hospital. After the accident in London, the doctors told him that he would probably not be able to walk ever again. Olen knew that with his faith in the Lord he would walk. After spending a year in a body cast and wheel chair Olen took his first steps again.

Olen finished his mission in the Tucson, Arizona Mission giving firesides and speaking to the youth about his accident.

Even fourteen years later there are still daily aches and pains, and the semi-annual polishing of the glass eye. But Olen uses his scars as proof that we have a loving Heavenly Father, who knows us and will not forget us. Olen is eternally optimistic and teaches me that each day of life is a gift and we are all blessed people.

I am really looking forward to meeting some of the people that were with Olen on his mission in London. I want to give them a tight hug and tell them "Thank-you".