Since her Christmas Day accident, Lynette Kemerling has missed doing home improvement projects at her home in Alexandria, but enjoys time outdoors at her parents’ farm, north of Luverne.
By Sara Strong
Hope and humor can get you through a lot. Just ask Lynette Kemerling.
When she crashed through the window of a minivan almost six months ago, Kemerling thought the last sensation she'd feel was that of her body skidding through the snow facedown.
"I must have known I was flying because I remember grabbing at things. I really lucked out. I thought I was going to die there," Kemerling said.
The Christmas Day rear-end accident left her paralyzed from the lower hips down, but she's still the same from there on up.
"I have good days and bad days. I’m no different from anyone else - I just can’t walk," Kemerling said.
Kemerling, who lived in Alexandria, has been staying with her parents, Harvey and Doris Kemerling, rural Luverne, since the accident.
Doris said, "She's just getting stronger every day, and has her ups and downs."
"Everything the community has done is greatly appreciated," Kemerling said. "Anyone in my condition couldn't do it alone. People visiting and helping how they can really helps me."
Her memory of the accident is almost complete. Kemerling remembers seeing her brother, Harland, look in the rear view mirror and flinch, noticing that Mark Lafrenz's car was about to hit. She also remembers Harland trying to get to her from the van.
Criminal vehicular injury charges are pending against Lafrenz.
The force of Kemerling's body, propelling backward after the hit, leveled the front passenger seat and one back seat before she went out the back side window.
If it all sounds like a grim tragedy, Kemerling doesn't think of it that way.
She considers herself lucky to be able to move her hips and upper body and keep her job at Alexandria Extrusion, which she will return to this summer.
As Continuous Improvement Coordinator at the company, Kemerling looked for ways to improve efficiency on the job. The position is waiting for her when she's ready so she's glad to work for the company she does.
At a recent visit back to the plant, which extrudes aluminum and manufactures various aluminum components, she was the guest of Gov. Jesse Ventura. He was at the plant for World Competitor Day and was taking the president of Alexandria Extrusion to China for meetings on exporting.
She almost upstaged the governor's visit. All of the 270 employees stopped for a hug from their visiting co-worker.
Counting blessings
While in Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, Kemerling saw accident victims in worse condition, so she's grateful to have the chance to live independently.
"At first I thought I'd have to get a dog [to help me through the day], but I can just get my cat back now," Kemerling said.
Her home, on an acre of land at the edge of Alexandria, is being renovated to make the kitchen and bathroom handicap accessible.
"I'm hoping to get in by the end of July," Kemerling said.
To get ready for the move, she's doing physical therapy at home and at the hospital. "Those girls at the Luverne hospital really keep me in shape," she said.
Her upper body strength is increasing with all her hard work, but tasks are still difficult.
When she moved from the wheelchair to a couch one day, she soon realized it was easier to move down than up, and she and her family had a good laugh over her efforts.
Becoming mentally prepared for life in a wheelchair is also a part of Kemerling's recovery. That's why she's grateful her mother will stay with her for a while in Alexandria to smooth the transition. She’s also grateful that she can count on longtime family friend, Eddie Deutsch, for support.
Deutsch, Luverne, has been using a wheelchair for 42 years and was a role model for Kemerling as a child and young adult. Now she's still fond of the family friend and looks to him for advice.
Deutsch said, "She's a tough girl. I tell her that she's going to make the football team. She's the kind of person who says she can do something and you know she will."
Deutsch said he can tell her what he's gone through, even though she knows most of his story. There's more to being in a wheelchair than meets the eye, so he'll understand her situation better than other friends.
Independence is key to Kemerling and Deutsch. He said there's a fine line between independence and getting adequate help and support.
Kemerling said she's been getting that support so far - an almost overwhelming amount. Friends from high school and people she hasn't seen in years have wished her well. About 600 people were served at an April benefit supper in her name.
Financially, physically and mentally, Kemerling is preparing herself for what lies ahead.
Part of what she has to prepare for is saying lots of thank-yous. "Friends and family make such a difference," she said.