May 10, 1962 was a beautiful spring day in Flint, Michigan. The Apple Blossom trees were blooming, and you could see a cloud of yellow pollen infiltrating the automobiles, homes and everything else in sight. Yes indeed, spring had arrived, not quite, but the presence and aroma were in the air. It was a season the people of Michigan had looked passionately forward to seeing. It was a time to heal, a time to console, a time to forget and a time to move forward after a tragic and blistering winter. Michigan, infamously known for its cold and below freezing temperatures would claim its third coldest winter on record. On Tuesday, January 16, 1962, what began as a weak system moving into the region earlier during the day, amassed into a devastating blizzard. By late afternoon, snow accumulations were already at 15-18 inches over the southern region of the state. As if that wasn’t enough, the headline on the special weather statement that was issued by the National Weather Service Tuesday evening read as follows: “Another Winter Storm Threatens Lower Michigan” and thus, a second winter storm watch were officially posted. The phasing of two distinct jet streams aloft proved to be the key as to the subsequent strength and massive extent of the brutal storm. A travel advisory was issued to stay off roads if possible and to stay indoors. Early Wednesday morning, the storm had changed from snow to sleet and freezing rains.
With temperatures dropping below freezing, this would prove to be treacherous. Power lines were snapped by numerous tree limbs bearing the brunt of the masses of ice on them. Over 35,000 people throughout the central region were powerless. The roadways were deathtraps because of the ice and wind gushing drifts of snow. Cars were found on the roads dead, with snow covering them like a white blanket. Many were with shovels tirelessly trying to free themselves from the beast which now enslaved them. To no avail, in desperation, there were those who set out on foot amidst the Arctic tundra to seek help. Tragically, some lost their lives. It was reported by highway patrol, twelve people were killed and many others seriously injured. A 23 year old married woman, mother of two and pregnant with her third child named Olivia, would become a victim of this ravaging, unforgiving hell storm.
Olivia was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She had only been living in Michigan two years and never encountered a winter with these conditions. Olivia knew her winter driving skills were a mere beginner to semi novice. Seeing no other way, she began her drive home from work. This poor choice in judgment would deem to be near fatal for her and the child she bared inside her. Olivia’s confidence grew as she drove. She embarked on interstate I-75 thinking this would be a clearer and faster route. As she proceeded, due to her anxiousness and inclement weather ignorance, she increased speed. Unknowingly, she encountered a patch of black ice and the car began to spin.
Frantically and out of panic, she hit the brakes. The car commenced to slide into traffic and she was rear ended by another car. The impact pushed her over a guard rail and into the mouth of a deep ravine. Unfortunately, Olivia did not have her seat belt on. The devastation would leave her fighting for her life. With highway patrol, emergency medical service and fire rescue personnel bombarded by the rash of home fires and roadway accidents, Olivia’s fate appeared shallow, if not doomed. Witnesses of the catastrophic event stopped to aide but the ravine was too deep and the conditions didn’t permit.
Unconscious and in imminent danger of frostbite starting to make its unwelcomed presence, three and a half hours later , Olivia is rescued from her nightmarish turmoil . To her dismay, this would only be the beginning to a tragic battle against Jack Frost. In the aftermath, Olivia had sustained life threatening injuries to herself and the child she was carrying. Because she was not wearing a seatbelt, she withstood severe head trauma, a broken sternum, a broken collarbone and a ruptured spleen. The latter had caused internal bleeding and threatened the life of the child. Emergency room physicians worked feverishly to save the expecting mother. Olivia needing a blood transfusion and in critical condition was rushed to surgery. Doctors feared the five-month old fetus wouldn’t withstand. Olivia, with pulse faint, slipped into a coma like state after surgery.
Miraculously, the fetus managed to persevere. Now in intensive care, on life support and battling the odds of survival, Olivia fought relentlessly. She was all alone, hospital staff rummaged through her belongings brought in by the rescue squad. They now were able to identify who she was and contact her family. The charge nurse, Ann Pollard, a wife and mother herself, empathize the young woman’s anguish. She called the contact number listed on the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield medical card. The phone rang twice, but to her dismay, she got a distressed busy tone. She hung up and hurriedly tried several more attempts, same result. The storm had damaged power and communication lines in the area. Mrs. Pollard could only imagine how awful it would be to possibly die like this. After all, she thought the struggling woman was so young, so pretty, and now so alone. The nurse sat at Olivia’s bedside and held her hand, said a quite prayer and vehemently instructed for Olivia to fight. The doctors were monitoring her throughout the night. Because of the head trauma, they feared she may have brain swelling complications. Olivia was indeed a fighter, her blackened eyes and appearance gave resemblance to “Rocky Balboa” a fictional boxer Sylvester Stallone portrayed in the movies. Her body permeated with IV’s and machines sustained what life she and her child had left. Six weeks later, Olivia rose from her coma like state. The physicians were astounded by the dramatic recovery and she was taken off of life support. The child she was carrying showed no complications per ultrasound. She awakened with her room filled with multi-colored cards, bright balloons, and the smell of fresh flowers from her family and friends. Still weak and disoriented, doctors kept her in the hospital for five more weeks for further tests and observation. Olivia, who stands only four foot eleven inches in stature, attested to have a giant’s heart as well as a warrior’s temperament. The second week of April, Olivia was released from the hospital. She had been showered with lots of love, care, gifts, and made many new friends through her ordeal. Before her exit, she took the time to give each doctor and nurse a heartfelt hug, showing her gratitude for all they had done for her and her child. A few nurses responded with tears out of joy. They waved her goodbye as her husband wheeled her out the door in a wheelchair. Olivia teary-eyed said, “I’ll be back soon!” As fate would only have it, on May 10, 1962, “Mother’s Day”, Olivia returned in labor and a healthy baby boy was delivered. Olivia would name her new resilient bundle of joy, Jeffery. He grew strong with no ill effects from his past ordeals. Jeffery became a charismatic young man. He served proudly and honorably for three years in the United States Army. He is now a married, loving father of four children as well as a proud and successful small business owner. He is a caring man and mentor to me. Most of all, he’s my older brother. Olivia would bear three more children after Jeffery, I being one. She would continue to be the strong willed woman, loving mom and caregiver. Our father passed in 1998, and five years later, after another test of wills, Olivia bravely fought and battled cancer. When the doctors gave her six months to live, the little warrior proved them wrong again. Olivia would defy the odds and live one year more. I think she did so to teach them a thing or two, that was her favorite catch phrase. “I’ll show them a thing or two!” Olivia had showed her family, friends and now she had shown all those that had doubted her spirit. Because of Olivia and Jeffery, if I was ever asked about perseverance, I know I would be able to answer and tell them a thing or two!