M. Weidenbenner - Fractured Not Broken

Fractured Not Broken

Kelly Schaefer

with

M. Weidenbenner

Copyright 2015 by Kelly Craig Schaefer

This book tells a true storytrue in that the events actually happened, and that Ive told it to the best of my ability. The exact dialogue may not be verbatim because some of the story happened many years ago, but Ive tried to recall the words honestly. Ive changed a few of the names in the interest of privacy. Some of the conversations have been recreated as I remember them, depicting my sentiment and perception of the events.

All rights reserved.

Printed and bound in the United States of America.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations used in articles and reviews.

Published by Kelly Schaefer LLC with R. Publishing, LLC.

Cover design by Cathy Helms of Avalon Graphics.

Many of the photos are courtesy of The Herald , Jasper, Indiana, and David Pierini, photographer and friend.

Editing by Vie Herlocker.

Pineapple icon by Christopher T. Howlett through The Noun Project

ISBN: 978-0-9863362-3-2

Scripture marked NIV is from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture marked NLT is taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked MSG, or The Message is taken from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group."

Endorsements

"Life has its tragic moments of defeat, setbacks, and fracturing for everyone. No one can escape events of emotional, sometimes physical pain. Kelly's story proves, however, that individual momentum, personal progress, and genuine achievement can still be attained. Her courage and optimism are uplifting. Open these pages and experience the joy of ultimate victory."

Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, author

Jesus in All Four Seasons

Oh, how I relate to these pages! This book has been a true encouragement to me. Thank you Kelly for sharing your story the loss and the unexpected joy so that each reader can be uplifted knowing there is a full, rich life available to those who lean in to our Lord Jesus. Mike and I look forward to joining you and Shawn on the heavenly dance floor one day!

Rene Bondi

Still, I Will Praise

Rarely if ever do we choose our crosses in life. We often have the choice, however, of embracing lifes challenges or allowing them to defeat us. Adversity has a way of bringing out the best or the worst in us. Life is changed, in such moments, but not ended. This is a real life story of heroic virtueespecially of courage, humility and generositya triumph of faith, hope, and love. Though there are many characters involved, as told through the main character, Kelly, this story involves the very essence of the human spirit, family and community. To know Kelly and her journey of miracles is to know that with God all things are possible.

Most Reverend Charles C. Thompson

Bishop of Evansville

I was so moved by the courageous journey of Kelly in Fractured, not Broken that I made a list of people I want to share it with. It would be an enormously helpful book for anyone facing overwhelming difficulties, but especially for anyone who has a loved one who is a quadriplegic. I know I will never look at another person in a wheelchair the same way after reading Kellys story. This is a book I will read more than once.

Patricia Bradley

Gone Without a Trace

Contents

(David Pierini/ The Herald)

(Me and my brother, Jason)

One day can make your life; one day can ruin your life.

All life is is four or five big days that change everything .

Riding in Cars with Boys

July 10, 1999

I dont remember what Eric or I wore that day, or what we ate that morning, but I remember feeling invincible, freer than a kite in the wind, flying high in love, and looking forward to a new life in Arizona. We were young lovers, college kids with the world at our fingertips, seizing opportunities that would take us places wed never been, confident wed have fun on our way.

But then everything changed.

For a long time after that day, I wished Id died. How naive I was to believe I was untouchable, that my cake life would go on forever.

Nothing was forever.

It was a dark night, dark in the way most traumatic stories start. The summer air was as hot as my passion for Eric, my boyfriend of almost three years. He was vacationing with me and my familyMom, my stepdad, Andy, and my brothers Jason, Ryan, Ted, and Tyleron a dude ranch in Durango, Colorado, riding horses, hiking, and shooting archery.

It was our last day of vacation. Tomorrow wed fly back to Indiana. I hated endings. Even in my favorite TV shows, I dreaded the end of the season knowing Id have to wait until fall to see the characters again.

I didnt want our fun to end because school would start again, and since Eric and I were transferring from Indiana University to the University of Arizona, Id be far from my family and friends in southern Indiana.

For our last-night event, a group of us decided to drive into Durango to attend the local fair. Before heading into town, Eric and I waited for the others in the parking lot at the ranch. Eric circled me in his arms, his breath warm against my face, and his lips near mine. I love you and whats ahead of us. No matter what happened in the past, were forever, Kelly. He set his hands on my waist and lifted me cheerleader style until my eyes were level with his.

Get a room, Jason, my seventeen-year-old brother, said as he approached.

Eric laughed and set me on the ground.

Several of the other young ranchers gathered with us. Stephanie, a ranch hand, wanted to celebrate her twentieth birthday, so shed invited many of the other ranch hands and guests to go.

She pulled up in her small purple truck. Hop in the bed.

I moved toward the truck, but Eric held me back. Lets wait and go with John in his car. Its safer.

John was a ranch hand, too, a college guy, who worked at the dude ranch for the summer. We didnt know him before vacationing there, but we had become friends during the week.

Im not going, Jason said. I dont want to hold you back from the bars.

Most in the group were twenty-one, but those who werent had fake IDs.

Were not going to the bars, Eric said. Come with us.

Jason finally agreed.

John waved a few of us over to his brown Taurus. Jason, Eric, and I climbed in the back seat. JoAnne and Brian, two other ranch hands, sat in the front seat with John.

He pulled out onto the highway following Stephanies truck. Eleven kids sat in the open bed of her purple Toyota, their hair and T-shirts flapping in the wind. The summer air smelled of pine trees from the nearby forest.

John talked to JoAnne and Brian in the front seat, while the three of us in the back seat had our own conversation.

Out of all the schools to transfer to, Jason said to Eric, why did you choose to play for Arizona? Its too far. Ill never get to go. And the cheerleaders are hotter there.

I heaved my elbow into Jasons side. How do you know?

Eric laughed and squeezed my hand then reached around me and slugged Jason. Well have to arrange for you to come as a prospect .