Darcy Keith, commonly called The Queen of Survival, shared her secrets to overcoming adversity and living the life you really want. Darcy is a BSU alumna who works full time as a business analyst for auto insurance in downtown Indianapolis. She juggles her job with being a NCAA speaker, a wife and a mother.
Unfortunately, during in her senior year at Ball State tragedy struck on Sept. 12, 1991. Keith and four sorority sisters were on the way back to Ball State when a passing semi caused a sudden gust of wind, making the driver jerk the car, which spun and landed upside-down. Then, an oncoming truck carrying cattle t-boned the car. Two of the girls died and Darcy was so injured her sister could only recognize her by her fingernail polish and her pinky ring.
After the accident, Keith had the mental capacity of a five-year-old and had to learn everything all over again. She was paralyzed on the right side of her body, wore diapers and had a tube in her nose and down her throat to eat food. After some time passed she was able to switch to eating pureed, babyfood-like meals.
The doctors said most people don't recover from such horrible injuries, but despite the odds, Keith recovered in less than two months and now only suffers from vertigo.
After she healed she went back to Ball State to find a new major, since what she learned before the accident had been erased by memory loss.
"I told myself I'm not going to be a victim," Keith said. "Those who survive are not the strongest species, but the ones that can best adapt to change."
In her first semester of Ball State after the accident, Keith got a 4.0 grade point average, which had never happened before in her college history. She said she credits her success to having a plan.
"It felt like I had to study 3 times harder than a regular person," she said.
She said she persevered and had a positive attitude anyway. Since she couldn't focus well, Keith said she sat in the front row in her classes and found a study buddy.
Furthermore, to regain her strength, her doctor wouldn't let her get a handicap-parking pass on campus because he didn't want her "to take the easy way out." So, as a commuter, she had to find another way to all of her classes.
Courtney Jarrett, the associate director of disabled student development and affiliate faculty of women gender studies, said Keith was chosen collaboratively for Disability Awareness Month and Women's Week. Jarrett said Keith can show that no matter what the circumstances, whether disabled or not, people can still have a positive attitude. She said Keith was the perfect person to represent this year's theme; strength is beauty.
INFO:
Darcy Keith's STEPS to Survive and Thrive
Surrender: Let go of what you can't control.
Try: Not to play the "victim" attitude.
Exemplify a Positive Attitude: get up and be grateful. Darcy challenges the students to write five things they are grateful for every night before they go to bed. "You cannot sleep away anger and stress."
Persevere: with fortitude and determination.
Specifically ask for help: if needed.
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