Occasionally you meet extraordinary individuals who remain undaunted by the harshest circumstances. Such is artist Sally Kirk. People who know her-and there are many-find infinite joy in her sunny disposition, vibrant spirit and enduring optimism.
Almost a year ago to the day, 68-year-old Kirk miraculously survived a harrowing car crash. She was struck down during a police chase while she waited at a bus stop at the corner of Fairview and Denny Way. Pursued by three police cars, a 17-year-old boy driving a stolen car raced through a red light, jumped the curb and smashed into her at 40 miles an hour.
Kirk suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured right femur, shattered left wrist, fractured pelvis, two broken ribs, a lacerated liver, a fractured skull and three fractured vertebrae, most seriously the one that connects the skull to the spinal column-a condition Harborview doctors initially feared she would not survive. After a siege of excruciating pain, round-the-clock care, a five-week hospital stay and hours of physical therapy, Kirk went home, where she wore a body brace for three months, graduated to a walker for two, followed by a cane. With a rod in her right leg, she now walks without aid, but with a slight limp.
It was six months before she could pick up a paint brush again. And when she did, Kirk painted calla lilies.
But what is remarkable about this story is that her accident marks Kirk's second brush with death. Fifteen years ago, she battled cancer and won.
Even more remarkable, Kirk was able to forgive the teenage driver who crashed into her. She was too fragile to leave her apartment, so her daughter Rachel read her mother's statement at Dustin Wiley's sentencing. "I know you didn't wake up the morning of Sept. 19 with the intent of hurting me," Kirk wrote. "I want to make myself real to you so you will realize that your behavior has very seriously affected another life, as well as many lives close to you and me. It is my hope that out of this devastating chain of events you will find your way into honor and integrity."
Although he showed no remorse in court, Wiley later wrote Kirk a poignant letter in which he apologized and poured out his heart about his life. It was the beginning of their correspondence. He recently sent her a photo of himself with a drawing he created, and he will soon study for his G.E.D. and enter Job Corps to be trained as a carpen-ter. And in every letter he sends, Wiley thanks Kirk for writing back to him.
He almost took her life, but she may help save his. "I was never angry; not for one second," Kirk emphasizes, "How bizarre is that? But what would be the use? Besides, I never thought it was his fault. Sure, he shouldn't have stolen the car, but he didn't set out to hurt me that morning, and I knew that. I was very touched by his letter, and saw it as a hopeful sign, especially that he wrote it after he was sentenced, and not before."
Despite her significant recovery over the past year, Kirk is still healing. Her day-to-day stamina has diminished, and she suffers from back pain, neck pain, reoccurring migraines and insom-nia. Kirk also has a visceral reaction to police sirens and approaches bus stops and street crossings with utter caution. Recently a car wheeled through an intersection, stopping just short of Kirk. "I started crying," she said. "Post traumatic stress, I guess. I'm still very fearful. Even as a passenger, I see danger. I'll say, `That guy on the bike is riding recklessly. Doesn't he know he could end up in Harborview?' "
Yet, Kirk has started to ride the bus again, but not to Denny Way and Fairview. "I can't get on or off at that stop. It doesn't bother me to drive past it, but I wouldn't want to stand there in the same place, because I worry it could happen again."
That's why, as soon as she was able, Kirk launched a crusade against police chases, firing off letters to Seattle's city council, Chief of Police Gil Kerli-kowske, Mayor Greg Nickels and the local papers. And when Chief Kerli-kowske announced the change in police chase policy, Kirk cheered. "He has done this courageously wise thing, despite great opposition from the police guild, and he has my total support. Maybe now people like me will have some recourse. Those policemen's reckless judgment almost cost me my life, as well as two other bystanders. At one point during my recovery, my physical therapist told me that five of the 12 head injury patients she was caring for were caused by police chases. Apparently this policy change has been in the works for a year, and I sincerely hope I had something to do with it."
Over the past year, Kirk's been flood-ed with cards, prayers and gifts from people she doesn't even know. She has reconnected with old friends and made new friends, including the owner of the stolen car that hit her. Even her letter carrier monitors her recovery.
Oddly enough, as Kirk approaches the anniversary of her accident, she feels liberated. While others might view this time as a lost year, she considers it one of the richest experiences of her life. "How Pollyanna is that?" she laughs. "But seriously, I feel like I'm in the midst of a rebirth, with all the hope and energy that implies.
"It took this accident to set me on a pathway of resolve about making my living as an artist. I had always wanted to, but the reality was so severe. Even now with only a small social security check augmenting my painting, I am determined to follow that pathway. Life is so short - and I almost lost mine - so why not do what I truly love. Whatever fears I had about risk-taking are gone. I finally have the confidence that my work as an artist can sustain me and the faith that somehow I will have the money to keep going."
To that end, Kirk's daughter Rachel and her friends have organized a "friends helping friends," a benefit for Kirk on Saturday, Sept. 20, at her former workplace, David Smith & Company. The evening celebrates Kirk's determination, creativity and joy of life. They hope to raise enough money to help her through another year of recovery. More blessings heaped upon her life.
But what happens on the actual anniversary date, Sept. 19? "I haven't thought much about it, although I suppose the memory will always exist deep in my psyche," Kirk pauses. "I'm actually hoping for an ordinary day. I guess I will wake up and be extra grateful to be safe and sound in my little home. Then I'll fix a cup of tea...and just celebrate the fact that I'm alive."
A special benefit for Sally Kirk, "One Year Later," will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, 7-10 p.m. at David Smith & Company, 334 Boren Ave. N. Tickets: 216-0737, 898-4288, or http://mywebpages.comcast.net/sallykirk/support.htm
Freelance writer Starla Smith is a Queen Anne resident.
