I loved my life as a resident of Pendleton, Oregon. I had a loving husband and two sons who were at a stage in life they would soon be out on their own. I loved to sing and taught Bible School during my free time and was closely connected to the local church. I had a blessed life.
Then, on August 9, 2013, when I went out for my usual evening walk, I was brutally attacked by a man with a metal pipe. To everyone's shock and amazement I survived despite lying unconscious for 13 hours.
I was found severely beaten and left for dead. My survival was uncertain as I lay in a coma for days following the attack. The community was shaken, and the incident sparked a widespread investigation that eventually led to the arrest of Lukah Chang, who was later convicted for the assault on me and the murder of another female Pendleton victim, Amyjane Brandhagen.
Days after waking from a coma, even the simplest of tasks seemed impossible. I don’t recall being hit with a pipe or even being attacked. It was as if I was being protected from the brutal details and the pain that was being inflicted on me and has protected me from reliving it forever. I don't remember anything about it. I thought I was at work, and I wound up in the hospital. I didn't know what happened.
It was going to be a long road to recovery. Doctors say the earliest I could go home was mid-October.
My husband, Dan, watched over me seeing my miraculous recovery firsthand. "Each day that goes by, her injury heals more, and she really goes beyond just understanding it, but really has a good concept of what her place is in all of this."
The biggest shock has been how much the community has stood beside us. It was just amazing. I felt very blessed to have that much support. Because I really needed it. It really helped me heal.
Despite the brutality of the attack, I fought my way back to health and eventually resumed my life.
In fact I feel the most significant milestone in my recovery was my return to work as a part-time secretary. Despite the severe trauma I endured, my determination and resilience shone through as I made my way back into the workforce.
This step marked not only a personal victory over the circumstances that had threatened my life but also a moment of triumph for the community that had supported me throughout my ordeal. It gave me back the control and power I had lost during a large part of my recovery.
My story is not just one of personal survival but also of a family's resilience.
Almost a year after the attack, my husband, Dan, faced his own battle with an incurable cancer. Yet, our family's spirit remained unbroken, with Dan continuously maintaining a positive outlook despite the challenges.
The community's support for me during her recovery was a testament to the bonds of compassion and solidarity that can emerge in times of crisis. After the brutal attack that left me fighting for my life, the people of Pendleton, Oregon, rallied around me and my family, providing not just emotional support but also practical assistance.
Volunteers organized search parties when I was initially missing. Once I was found, the community continued to show their support in various ways. Fundraisers were held to help cover the medical expenses, and many offered to help with daily tasks to ease the burden on my family. The local church, where I was an active member, played a significant role in coordinating efforts and offering pastoral care.
As I underwent multiple surgeries and faced a challenging recovery process, the community's unwavering presence provided a source of strength and hope. They celebrated my milestones, such as returning to work as a part-time secretary, and remained a pillar of support as my husband, Dan, faced his own health battle. The collective effort to support me in my time of need highlighted the profound impact of community spirit in fostering resilience and recovery.
Although I live with the lasting effects of the attack, such as acute memory loss and permanent damage to my trachea, my journey back to a semblance of normalcy has inspired hope and courage in the face of adversity.
The loss of my Dan was a profound and deeply affecting event for me. He was a source of unwavering support for me during my recovery from a brutal attack while he faced his own battle with an incurable cancer.
Despite the grim prognosis, Dan's positive spirit remained undiminished, exemplifying his remarkable courage and resilience. His approach to his illness was not one of despair but of gratitude and perspective, often expressing that he felt blessed compared to others facing their own challenges.
While I was relieved to learn about my attacker Lukah’s conviction, at first, I didn’t want to go, but sitting there and looking around–it felt more like a victory because I wasn’t beaten by the whole thing. In fact I was really surprised and just kind of haunted by that because I came really close to not making it, that was kind of overwhelming. I am truly blessed.
Rather than go into more detail here you can watch the full story on Dateline called Someone Was Out There.