PHOTOS

Erin's red Mercedes is parked out the front of Angela's office, waiting for me. Exiting the building, hands shaking, I inhale, mentally telling my heart to slow and make my way towards her. Opening the passenger side door, I climb in, taking my seat, a cup of steaming coffee waiting for me as I put on my seatbelt.

After my session, it’s become quite clear that it’s ironic that not wearing a seatbelt during the accident was one of the elements that saved my life.

Even though today we focused on me and what I experienced, I know from the police reports that the car exploded shortly after impact. So, if I were wearing my belt, I would have ended up just like my parents. I still don’t know what made me decide not to wear my belt, but I can recall multiple occasions during my teenage years when I didn't bother because I was too cool to play safe.