A Knox County woman is treasuring the holidays after narrowly dodging death in a freak accident six months ago when she was impaled by a tree that fell on her car.
"You know I've realized to be a little more grateful this year. I could have not been here. My stocking could have been absent over there on the fireplace," said Megan Brown.
Strong thunderstorms rolled into East Tennessee on the afternoon of June 8, 2015. Megan was at home with her three-month-old son, Pearson. In a moment of true irony, Megan loaded her son in the car so they could avoid any potential risks from the inbound severe weather.
"I was just thinking I need to leave. I need to get out of here before something bad happens and I'm here by myself and the power goes out. Then I wouldn't have a microwave or be able to do all the things to take care of an infant," said Megan.
Disaster struck before Megan could get out of the driveway. The storm knocked over a large tree that crashed onto the roof of her car, skewered her leg with a large limb, and trapped her in the vehicle with her son. She credits her son's crying with saving her life.
"He started crying so I put my foot on the brake and kind of turned. The next thing I knew the tree had fallen and went through my leg. If I had not been turned at that moment, it would have gone through my head and I'd be dead," said Megan.
Impaled by the tree, Megan managed to call for help and stayed on the line with emergency responders. The storm knocked down several trees in the area, blocking roads and slowing the response for rescue crews.
A couple of emergency responders were able to reach Megan in their personal vehicles.
"The first responders do not get enough credit. The people who got to me were in their own cars. They were able to get me out using their personal tools. I cannot be more grateful for that, because if it was not for them, I wouldn't be here. I would have probably already bled out."
Megan said she was able to meet with all of the members of the Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad who saved her. She not only wanted to thank them, but apologize for any rude behavior during the panic of her accident"
"I told them I wanted to say I was sorry, because I know I was shaken up and screaming. They brushed it off like it was nothing and said I didn't need to apologize, but I know they deal with people who are hurt, impatient, and act ungrateful. I owe them my life," said Megan.
Megan spent some time in the hospital and endured several months of physical therapy to regain normal function in her wounded leg, although she says it is still mostly numb. There's a chance she may have future surgery, but for now she says the benefits do not outweigh the potential physical risks.
What was more surprising to Megan about her recovery was the emotional toll of the traumatic event.
"Especially with a baby. I mean, it was tough. I would think that I'm not going to be a fit mom. I can't walk. I have some problems with anxiety. It's been hard," said Megan.
Megan found support from her family, including a new member with four legs.
"I have a service animal, a dog named Charlie. She is mostly there to help with the emotional stuff. When I'm having a bad day, she calms me down a lot. She has helped me a lot as far as the stress and the anxiety and all of that."
With her physical and emotional wounds on the mend, this month Megan put her healed leg to use by walking down the aisle at her wedding. She and her husband, Kirkland, were engaged at the time of her injury. The couple initially planned to get married in June 2016.
"Out of nowhere, we were like, we've got to do this now. You never know when you're going to wake up to see the person you love again. We got married on December 5. I was able to walk down the aisle. It was pretty great," said Megan. "We went on our honeymoon last week in Florida. He has been so supportive through the whole thing."
Megan says she considers any future with her husband and son a blessing.
"I could have not have survived that," said Megan with her son Pearson in her lap. "Then I wouldn't get to hear this beautiful little face yelling through his monitor every morning."
To help the Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad and dozens of other community groups, you can donate to the United Way of Greater Knoxville's "25 Days of Giving" campaign. More information is available at the link below.