How my student coped with road tragedy

Teenager Mikaela Smith was hospitalized after a crash that claimed the life a of a 48-year-old man. She is better now but, as she explains here to her teacher Shawnette Somner, the emotional scars run deep and she feels the pain of a grieving family.
As road accidents soar and the human fallout mounts by the day, we can only hope that stories like this will encourage people to take more care on our roads.

On an average school day on a short walk to the restroom or to the exit she twirls, cartwheels and does the splits — despite being reminded that she could potentially hurt herself indoors. Enrolled in dance classes since the age of nine and now involved in modern, jazz, ballet and tap, Mikaela Smith — an outgoing, bubbly 13-year-old — loves to perform whenever and wherever she can. She talks excessively among her peers and everybody becomes her “best friend”.
A few weeks ago, her world was turned upside down.  
I received a call on a Saturday night to tell me that Mikaela had been involved in a very serious road accident in which a man died. It sent shockwaves through my body; I felt as if one of my very own children had been affected. 
I immediately set out to call the parents of all Mikaela’s peers so that they could break the news to their own children. 
It took Mikaela several days to talk to anyone about what happened; the mental pain was too much to bear. Because someone had lost a life, Mikaela felt responsible and even blamed herself for the tragedy.  I assured her mother I’d get her to talk to me. And she did. 
Mikaela reflected solemnly, “I’m glad you let me talk to you about it because it has helped me to get the guilt off my mind.”
On Saturday, March 1, Mikaela had just left the parking lot of the Paget Primary School after playing with a friend. They left at about 7pm to head west with Mikaela on a pedal bike, with her friend walking behind her.
Mikaela wanted to call for a ride home to Dunscombe Road so that her friend could take his bicycle and go back home to Cherry Hill Park.  She had just stopped to the side of the road a short distance from the school to use a cellphone to make the call when she says she remembers seeing a bright light coming toward her from a side view. Mikaela said she did not hear anything coming but she does remember her friend’s voice shouting, “Mikaela, watch out!
Mikaela told me that before she could move, a collision occurred and  she was thrown onto the road. She remembers neighbours running out to assist her and bringing her ice for her split tongue.  Although she was able to jump up and run to her friend for comfort, the image of the then-injured motorcyclist on the other side of the road was extremely upsetting.  She learned of 48-year-old Rudell Smith’s death when she left the hospital that night after undergoing surgery to her tongue. “My auntie told me and I started to cry. I felt guilty and depressed.”
Previous surgery
Five days before the collision, Mikaela had undergone surgery to the bottom of her foot to have glass removed. But she returned to school, stitches and all, ready to function and participate as usual. I was amazed. Having been told of the surgery she had to undergo following the collision my heart sank.
I went to visit Mikaela the next day. She lay in bed, curled up in pain, unable to speak clearly but able to indicate that she wanted to come to school the next day – two days after being involved in the accident. 
Since opening Star Academy Home School in 2004, I have done my very best to create an atmosphere of nurturing, safety, comfort and fun. The importance of learning is stressed every day. My students often want to come to school even when they are ill, and they look forward to returning after vacation. But the fact that Mikaela wanted to be there after such a horrific experience was a humbling revelation for me.  I picked her up and transported her to and from school. She was warmly welcomed by her peers who were naturally concerned about her well-being and thankful that she was alive. Mikaela had truly become a living example of our daily discussions on the value of life.  
Returning to school was a bit tough, even with the support of friends. As Mikaela reflected upon the collision during work time she shed a tear on more than one occasion and as her back pain became more excruciating she found comfort in laying on the floor.  But the support from her peers remained unwavering.  “My friends at school have been miracle workers.  They helped me and worked with me,” Mikaela said.  When asked why she wanted to come to school after such an experience she replied, “School is the most fun ever. You’ve been like a mama to me, picking me up. You haven’t been too hard on me and you’ve treated me like your own.”
As a celebration of Mikaela’s life, everyone bought a gift for her. Not only had Mikaela’s mom, Brenda Smith, had to endure the stress of her daughter’s near tragedy but shortly afterwards she was involved in a collision that causing her car to be written off. The phenomenal parents of Star Academy bonded together to provide a spa certificate for her.
Mikaela interviewed for this column without tears but they fell immediately when asked how she thinks her mother is coping. As she gathered her composure and wiped away her tears she said, “My mama’s an angel.  No matter what happens she is always there for me.”
While one family mourns the passing of a loved one and Mikaela feels their pain and devastation, she knows that this incident will affect her for the rest of her life.  “I probably won’t get a bike when I turn 16 and I won’t ride a pedal bike anymore”.  She expresses her gratitude to everyone in words beyond her 13 years, “Everybody’s been praying for me and calling me and telling me to read certain scriptures. I thank everybody who’s been there for me and called to see if I’m okay.” 
It’s been a month now since the tragedy and I’m glad to report that already we are seeing  Mikaela’s outgoing side once again — and enjoying the sound of her laughter.

Shawnette Somner runs the Star Academy Home School in Warwick and writes occasional columns
for the Bermuda Sun.