It has been 10 years since Southold resident Kim Haeg, now 28, was in a devastating accident that left her fighting for life and a quadriplegic dependent upon a ventilator.
But no challenge has proven insurmountable as Haeg, with indomitable spirit has, with the love of her family and a community that’s come together to embrace her, continued to live life to the fullest, reaching for her dreams and enjoying many of the activities she’s always loved.
Even fishing.
Every year, Captain Bob Rocchetta at Rainbow Charters, Inc. in Orient has arranged a day to take Haeg out onto the open waters and on Wednesday, they set out again for a day of fishing and fun.
“This day was so special to me because I used to love fishing before my accident. When I got word from Captain Bob that he would take me out again because he knew how much I loved to fish, it meant the world to me,” Haeg said.
Next, she told her friend Joe Testaverde, also in a wheelchair, about the yearly event. “He loves it and comes with me almost every year,” she said.
Haeg said it’s her mission to spread the word that those “stuck in wheelchairs” or handicapped can still enjoy fishing with Captain Bob and Rainbow Charters.
This year, Haeg was also joined by her friend Giovanni Borghese. She enjoyed ” letting him experience watching me, a quadriplegic, fish, using my mouth to reel the fish in,” she said.
And this year, Haeg faced an even greater challenge — an injured arm. “Even with my arm in a sling, I toughed it out like any fisherman would,” she said, smiling.
Haeg ended up catching 13 porgies and two sea bass all on her own, with the help of the first mate. “I did it by biting down a button that would reel it in,” she said.
Remembering the dark night that changed her life forever, Haeg wrote on Facebook this April, “Ten years ago today I was getting ready to go off to college and excited for my new life, as was my mom who, was ready to retire and move down south, when suddenly life changed within the blink of an eye. I had no idea this could ever happen to me. I never heard of spinal cord injury until that day when our lives were completely shattered and changed forever.”
Yet despite the challenges, Haeg finds hope and optimism. “Today I am grateful I’m alive and love the people who have come into my life after this accident. And the ones who have stuck by me through everything since. It’s a different life than we ever expected but we have learned not only to survive but to live and enjoy each day. Please remember to appreciate what you have and don’t take for granted the little things in life, like taking a breath of fresh air.”
Instead of college classes and textbooks, dorms and dances, Haeg found her future filled with physical challenges. Injuries sustained during the accident included broken ribs, pelvis, pubic bone, jaw, four teeth, and femur in both legs. Her lungs were bruised, liver lacerated, and she suffered a contusion to a kidney. In addition, Haeg said she suffered a closed head injury that caused fluid on the brain, which required a craniotomy and a bolt in her head to relieve the pressure, compartment syndrome in her abdomen due to having been crushed, adult respiratory distress, and an aneurism on impact.
Life-altering injuries also included a compression fracture of her cervical spine, which left the formerly active and free-spirited teen paralyzed.
“Learning to accept my new life was hard,” Haeg said. “I faced many challenges such as looking at myself in the mirror in a wheelchair, having to depend on other people for things like combing my hair, brushing my teeth, washing my face, feeding me, changing the channel on TV, holding the phone for me when I have a call — basically performing my every need.”
Even today, the reliance on others bothers her, Haeg said. “I can’t just drive anywhere I want to go; I have to find someone to drive me and have someone always there. I don’t have any privacy. Granted, I’m given privacy when I ask for it, but it’s not the same.”
Still, Haeg finds joy in pastimes such as shopping — and fishing. “When I go out with friends, it uplifts my spirits,” she said.
Haeg has also been busy planning Southold High School’s Class of 2004 10-year reunion, even creating a Go Fund Me campaign to raise funds. To donate, click here.
Over the years, Haeg has found joy in sharing her story with teens, inspiring them to face their challenges with courage.
To others that might be facing the same challenges, Haeg has a message: “I like to encourage other people facing the same situation I’m in to look past their injury and go out and do the things they love to do.”
