Personal Narrative-Jason Metiva Is A Hero
A man named Jason Metiva once told me, “A hero is an ordinary person with extraordinary qualities.” It was the summer of 2011, my best friend and I were in the backseat of her mom’s Honda Ridgeline dancing to the Top 100 Country Songs of the Year. My best friend, Lauren had invited me on a day trip up to Jerome. The drive was going to be a long three or four hours, so we drove to McDonald’s for breakfast and headed North at about 6 A.M. About an hour and a half into our drive we hit a little bit of traffic. Lauren’s mom looked to be in a rush. She became a little impatient and weaved around the other cars. Eventually, we navigated around the large cluster of cars that were causing the traffic. We were traveling about 65-70 in the right lane. There was a Jeep diagonally behind us in the left lane. Laurens mom wanted to around the car that
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was driving slow in front of us so she tried to move into the left lane. She never saw the Jeep that was diagonally behind her in the left lane because he was in her blind spot. The Jeep ended up braking vigorously, and we veered back into the right lane. Life felt like it was happening in slow motion. I heard a squeal, and turned towards the back window quicker than a wink. I saw two men in the Jeep rolling across the freeway behind us. I literally saw their faces. We stopped, and other people did too. My friend and I were questioned. We were told what to say, and what not to say by her mom. We were told we needed to lie, and pretend an animal was in the road to explain why she was swerving into their lane. I was so scared.
We went to Jerome, and had a decent time. I arrived at my house around 11P.M. It was late, but I couldn’t stop thinking about those two men in the Jeep. I had such a terrible feeling about them. I also felt as if the accident was my fault. I began googling news websites and found a short article about the accident. (http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/07/21/20110721rollover-injury-arizona-69-abrk.html) The article states what hospital they were taken too. I decided I needed to take action. I woke my mom up at 11:30 P.M and asked her if we could bring them cards, and a teddy bear. She hugged me, and said “Of course we can. Go to sleep now and we will leave in the morning.”
My mom and I bought teddy bears, and “get well” cards for the two men. I also called the silent witness line and told the truth about the accident. I was so traumatized by this whole event. I was nervous when we arrived at the hospital. I couldn’t stop shifting in my chair while we waited. My hands felt like they were sweating gallons of water. The nurse told us one of the men (Kenneth Perkins) was in the ICU and was still in critical condition so I wasn’t able to visit him. Jason Metiva was the passenger in the Jeep and was doing quite well. She said he was in the general part of the ER. The nurse took me, and my mom in his room where he was watching ESPN. My mom introduced me, and I gave him the card and teddy bear. I said I was sorry and how thankful I was that he was okay. Jason gave me heroic advice on life. He was such a wise man. He requested he be put in a wheelchair. He wanted me to meet Kenneth’s family. I met his parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and even his sister and newborn niece who had just landed in Arizona from across the country. so they could meet her for the first time. We exchanged numbers and they told me if Kenneth ever woke up they would call me and let me meet him, and if not I should always remember that he would’ve loved what I did, and they all comforted me until visiting time was over.
Through all the tears, and all the laughs I had a memorable experience that day at the hospital.
Jason Metiva is a hero. He is a survivor. He is strong, and a fighter. He stayed by Kenneth’s side until the end. He always gave me hope that everything would be okay. Within the past year I told him I still thought about the accident. He remembered me. He said more kind words I would like to share. “Hi Haley, I thank you for your kindness and hope that you can find some comfort in this. I have an amazing life and am truly blessed by all those who love me. Our accident was a tragedy but, I've learned so much from it.. Life is truly special don't let fear hold you back there's too much to miss! Don't hold on to those thoughts or pictures there is too much beauty all around. Life is fragile, but meant to be lived! My friend, who I shall always remember wasn't as fortunate.. After a long struggle he is now at peace. He was a honorable man loved by many. I'm telling you in hopes that you can find some closure in all this.. You’re very brave! I’ll always admire the courage and compassion you showed us, and thank you with all my
heart.”
I may have only known this man for a short period of time, but he has taught me plenty lessons about life, and friendship. He is by far one of the utmost genuine people I have ever met. He is a hero to me.
was driving slow in front of us so she tried to move into the left lane. She never saw the Jeep that was diagonally behind her in the left lane because he was in her blind spot. The Jeep ended up braking vigorously, and we veered back into the right lane. Life felt like it was happening in slow motion. I heard a squeal, and turned towards the back window quicker than a wink. I saw two men in the Jeep rolling across the freeway behind us. I literally saw their faces. We stopped, and other people did too. My friend and I were questioned. We were told what to say, and what not to say by her mom. We were told we needed to lie, and pretend an animal was in the road to explain why she was swerving into their lane. I was so scared.
We went to Jerome, and had a decent time. I arrived at my house around 11P.M. It was late, but I couldn’t stop thinking about those two men in the Jeep. I had such a terrible feeling about them. I also felt as if the accident was my fault. I began googling news websites and found a short article about the accident. (http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/07/21/20110721rollover-injury-arizona-69-abrk.html) The article states what hospital they were taken too. I decided I needed to take action. I woke my mom up at 11:30 P.M and asked her if we could bring them cards, and a teddy bear. She hugged me, and said “Of course we can. Go to sleep now and we will leave in the morning.”
My mom and I bought teddy bears, and “get well” cards for the two men. I also called the silent witness line and told the truth about the accident. I was so traumatized by this whole event. I was nervous when we arrived at the hospital. I couldn’t stop shifting in my chair while we waited. My hands felt like they were sweating gallons of water. The nurse told us one of the men (Kenneth Perkins) was in the ICU and was still in critical condition so I wasn’t able to visit him. Jason Metiva was the passenger in the Jeep and was doing quite well. She said he was in the general part of the ER. The nurse took me, and my mom in his room where he was watching ESPN. My mom introduced me, and I gave him the card and teddy bear. I said I was sorry and how thankful I was that he was okay. Jason gave me heroic advice on life. He was such a wise man. He requested he be put in a wheelchair. He wanted me to meet Kenneth’s family. I met his parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and even his sister and newborn niece who had just landed in Arizona from across the country. so they could meet her for the first time. We exchanged numbers and they told me if Kenneth ever woke up they would call me and let me meet him, and if not I should always remember that he would’ve loved what I did, and they all comforted me until visiting time was over.
Through all the tears, and all the laughs I had a memorable experience that day at the hospital.
Jason Metiva is a hero. He is a survivor. He is strong, and a fighter. He stayed by Kenneth’s side until the end. He always gave me hope that everything would be okay. Within the past year I told him I still thought about the accident. He remembered me. He said more kind words I would like to share. “Hi Haley, I thank you for your kindness and hope that you can find some comfort in this. I have an amazing life and am truly blessed by all those who love me. Our accident was a tragedy but, I've learned so much from it.. Life is truly special don't let fear hold you back there's too much to miss! Don't hold on to those thoughts or pictures there is too much beauty all around. Life is fragile, but meant to be lived! My friend, who I shall always remember wasn't as fortunate.. After a long struggle he is now at peace. He was a honorable man loved by many. I'm telling you in hopes that you can find some closure in all this.. You’re very brave! I’ll always admire the courage and compassion you showed us, and thank you with all my
heart.”
I may have only known this man for a short period of time, but he has taught me plenty lessons about life, and friendship. He is by far one of the utmost genuine people I have ever met. He is a hero to me.