After a horrible motorbike accident , Amanda Blom lost her left eye and went blind in the other. One year later, she tells the story of her journey on the path of healing, having faith and appreciating life.

Hi! My name is Amanda Blom, and this is my story:

I was raised in a family, where I was the second child out of 3 sisters, always dreaming of riding my own motorbike one day when I grow up. This dream realised as a young adult when my husband and I both rode together up till the birth of our children after which we decided to sell the motorbikes.

As the last of our children left home, the dream realised again – stronger than ever. We both decided to take the opportunity and buy our own BMW  motorbikes and do the appropriate biking course.

It didn’t take long before we took on our first challenge (I’m the type of person who thrives on them). The challenge was the BMW Club Pretoria’s Extreme bike ride, travelling to the four outmost corners of South Africa. This entailed driving 7 200km in 15 days! We completed the challenge – each receiving a gold medal. This was definitely one of my life dreams come true!

Shortly after the BMW Extreme challenge, we were again invited to join the Rabies Rally February 2010 in Lesotho for a weekend breakaway. We rode turn after turn to the Katze dam – and I of course enjoyed every minute!

On our way back from the rally my life changed forever.

Certain things that I can still remember vividly before we reached the outskirts of Fouriesburg are the cattle walking over the road on Sunday morning, the kiss I blew to Nico (my husband) – a loving habit we have – before putting on my helmet. The light nod of my head to Johan and Halda’s son’s in appreciation of letting me have the privilege of riding 2nd in line.

I can remember nothing of the accident, but I know for sure that the Lord was with me and that through His grace all things worked out for the good.

Nico was riding on his bike behind me. I was told afterwards that a young man – under the influence – misjudged the speed of my bike, and stepped in front of me. There was no way to go around him and the accident happened in the blink of an eye. The misjudgement was fatal on his behalf, and I was flung into the air. The grace of God was so evident – we were travelling with a team of medical doctors! Dr Johan Botha, my brother in law and my sister
Halda (with me in the picture) attended to me immediately as I was riding behind them. They still love and look after me up to this day. An emergency tracheotomy on the side of the road saved my life, but would I have proper brain functionality? The surgeons battling for my life on the operating table doubted it.

I mostly incurred head/face injuries – losing my left eye completely as well as sight in my right eye. I am today completely blind, with no sense of taste
or smell, becoming a pensioner on 52 and declared medically impaired. The amazing part after such degree of impact is that I live to tell the tale with full brain and body functionality.

I learnt a couple of things through this experience:
- I learnt what it meant to become still, finding peace from the worlds rat race, and to focus on hearing God’s voice.
- Finding a new challenge and Godly purpose – life does not stop after becoming blind.
- God’s faithfulness in my “Golden hour” fighting for my life. I received the best support anyone could ever ask for. Prayer groups, nationally and around the world were interceding, each prayer carried me through. Out of my heart thank you.

On that note of thanks, I have to stop to especially thank a very special husband for his devoted love through this trying time. The moment I regained my consciousness we told each other that life will go on and through it all we will stand by each other. This was tested time and again through endless visiting hours for months in hospital, rehabilitation, wound dressing and both of us adapting to a new lifestyle. He is devoted to being my eyes and still makes me laugh – calling me his “blind date” – and teaching me that nothing cannot be overcome by love and a good sense of humour.

Adapting to a lifestyle without sight has its challenges and rewards. Setting new goals is a part of me that did not change after the accident. Within 6 months my friends and family encouraged me to partake in the 5km Spar Woman challenge. Nico quickly had to learn to communicate when to step up or step down otherwise I would lift my leg high when it is actually a step down!

There was also the discovery of handy gadgets to help me adapt. A watch that speaks the time (one quickly learns never to take both hands off the treadmill when walking to “hear” the time – I never heard the end of that fall!) A gadget that one puts over a mug when making tea/coffee.

This gadget has an alarm that goes off whenever water touches it. Audio books, talking cell phones (communicating all my text messages in a Yankee accent!) etc. colours my life from day to day.

Socially things have certainly picked up! I never realised the extent of friendships until now. My bonds with old friends and family are stronger than ever – and new friendships are growing daily! On this note I would like to especially thank my family and friends for all your love, understanding and support.

Some goals I am working on currently are learning braille, getting a guide dog, computer lessons for the blind (Thank you to Christelle and Datacentrix for donating a special computer to help me achieve this goal), bowling and becoming a rally navigator… (The adventurer in me is stronger than ever!)

In closing I would like to reassure everybody that I am coping fine. I understand some of you feared the reentering process and wondered if I would ever be the same. I do not feel sorry for myself, instead I have great joy in having a second chance on life. I believe God saved me for a reason and I am excited to see what lies ahead.

Romans 8:28 We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

If you would like to know more, please contact us at:
Email: nicolaas.blom@gmail.com
Tel: +27 12 335 7101 / +27 72 382 2693
Web: www.amandablom.shutterfly.com /