Kyler Petersen

When I was 16 in 2001, I was in a terrible 4-wheeler accident while on a scouting activity. I, like any 16-year-old, became wreckless and fell off the four-wheeler, hitting my head fast on a rock.

The impact forced my head forward, damaging the frontal lobe and back of my brain. The men and boys I was with found the camp guide, who had cell service and could call 911; when the ambulance arrived, they looked at me and knew that my condition was too critical and had to call for a life flight. The helicopter asked where I needed to be taken to, and my leader asked where’s the best place for head trauma. They said LDS hospital in SLC, and that’s where they took me. 

I was in a trauma-induced coma for 11 days, all of the MRI and CT scans showed severe damage, and some of the best neurologists in the country said I had little chance of survival. If I did, it would be a sure miracle I would be in a vegetable state, well obviously, I did survive, and I am not a vegetable; I was told I wouldn’t be able to walk again, and I can walk, so I skipped death, and I make the most of each day because we can only do something about tomorrow so let’s make the best about the moment we’re in right now, that’s my mantra!