The 2024 Dirk Derrick Car & Truck Accident Injury Scholarship received hundreds of essays from students whose lives have been seriously impacted by an auto accident. Essays came from across the United States with students sharing how they have been personally and significantly affected by an accident and how they have overcome the struggles associated with the accident.
Read our 2024 Dirk Derrick Car & Truck Accident Injury Scholarship Winner, Janna Wilson's story below:
The winner below gave Derrick Law Firm Injury Lawyers permission to share her story.
My name is Janna Wilson, and I am a 35-year-old mother of two who is passionate about becoming the best middle school teacher possible. My journey toward this dream, however, has been anything but easy. A life-changing event – a serious car accident – altered my path in ways I never expected. Yet, it was through overcoming the challenges from that experience that I developed the resilience, strength, and determination to pursue my true calling as an educator. Today, I stand at the threshold of fulfilling my dream, and I am proud to share my story.
In 2016, I was involved in a devastating car accident that left me with significant back and knee injuries. Years following would include loss of full physical potential, back surgeries, physical therapy, and a card carrying pain management patient. The physical pain was unbearable, and the emotional toll was even more difficult to navigate. I had always been an active person, balancing work, motherhood, and school, but suddenly I was bedridden and unable to care for my family in the way I once had. Being a single mom of two toddlers forced me to rely on others to help me with simple tasks and worse of all, my children witnessed my decline. The road to recovery was long, and I had to confront not only my physical limitations but also the frustration of being unable to participate in my own life. I remember feeling as though everything I had worked for had been taken away in an instant. I quickly realized that I had a choice. I could allow the accident to define me, or I could rise above it and find new meaning in the midst of hardship. I chose the latter. 
During my recovery, I began to reflect on what truly mattered to me. I worked hard to defy what doctors said I would be capable of doing. I had always loved helping others, especially adolescents, and I realized that my dream to become a teacher had never faded, even through the years of struggle and uncertainty. I wanted to inspire young minds, help them discover their potential, and make a difference in their lives the way educators had done for me. Determined to not let this setback derail my goals, I focused on my recovery. Physical therapy became my new daily routine, and although it was incredibly challenging, I remained committed to regaining my strength. I spent countless hours learning about self-discipline, patience, and perseverance. These qualities – the same ones that helped me heal – would also guide me through my academic journey. I enrolled in at College of Coastal Georgia in 2021 determined to finish what I had started years before. I juggled school with motherhood and being a military spouse. I later married my husband, who is active-duty Navy, so the added stress of deployments could have drug me down, but I was determined to make the most of every opportunity.
My hard work and commitment did not go unnoticed. In my final semester, I was offered a paid internship for exceptional performance in my program. This opportunity was a testament to the fact that perseverance and dedication can lead to success, no matter the obstacles you face. The internship was not just a way to gain experience – it was the culmination of years of struggle, recovery, and self-discovery. It felt like everything had come full circle. Being a mother has also been a powerful source of motivation for me. I want my children to see that no matter what life throws at you, it’s possible to rise above it, to keep moving forward, and to never give up on your dreams. They have witnessed my journey firsthand, and I hope that through my example, they understand that resilience and hard work are key to achieving any goal, no matter how daunting it may seem.
While the journey has been long and difficult, every challenge I faced has prepared me for the life I am building now. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher, and I am excited for what lies ahead. This scholarship would not only help me finish my final semester but also serve as a reminder that no matter how many obstacles you face, you have the power to overcome them and achieve your goals. I am ready to make a lasting impact in the classroom, and I am determined to help my future students believe in themselves, just as I’ve learned to believe in my own strength and resilience.
For more information about the Dirk Derrick Car & Truck Accident Injury Scholarship, please see www.derricklawfirm.com/scholarship.