Edmond woman says prayers saved her life
EDMOND — Jill Best believes in miracles. She’ll tell you she is a living miracle. Her friends and family agree.
One year ago on Sept. 27, Best’s life nearly came to an end as she walked from her house to exercise.
"I’m walking across Bryant in my workout clothes and the only identification I’m wearing is my Curves bracelet. I am two steps away from being across the road and this car hits me going 40 mph,” Best said.
That’s when the miracles began.
"The eyewitnesses who saw the accident were medically trained people. They jumped out of the car and make sure I am lying correctly as they dial 911,” she said.
Another witness recognized Best as one of the women who worked out Saturdays at Curves. An employee, one of Best’s friends, confirmed her identification from the bracelet she was wearing and was able to give family contact information to the investigating officer.
Family and friends were notified quickly and began to pray, she said. Best was in a coma for six weeks after the accident and has no memory of her first eight surgeries.
"I was in four hospitals for three months and I’ve had 10 surgeries — and I’m hoping that’s it,” Best said. Last month she returned to work at SpiritBank in Edmond. The bank held her job open for the day she could return.
On Friday, SpiritBank employees and officers had a reception in her honor.
"She’s just a ray of joy to all of us. Everybody loves Jill and she loves everybody. For the 10 and a-half months she was gone we had a void,” said Marcia Fisher branch administrator. "We are family and she’s an important part of that family.”
Sunday, the one year anniversary of the accident, was a special day for Best and her family. She sang during the Edmond Christian Church worship service. "I need to sing it to God and I need to sing it to my friends and family,” she said.
Today marks another milestone in Best’s recovery. It’s the day she gets her walking cast taken off. "I’ve had it on for three months now and I can’t wait to take a bath,” she said.
Best said she never lost her faith despite the accident. "My parents raised me that way to have faith in God and to know that we are never, ever going to walk alone.
"And I was not walking alone that morning. He was right there with me,” she said.
Source: Daily Oklahoman