Naomi Hannah, a vibrant 17-year old from Churchville, was on her way home from a youth retreat when she accidentally ran a flashing stop light. She was hit on the driver’s side by the oncoming car, which threw her 200 feet into a tree line.
When the first responders arrived, she was trapped in the truck, unconscious, with life-threatening injuries. She was removed from the wreck with the Jaws of Life and then flown via Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital.
Naomi’s sister, Tabitha, recalls the “devastation” the family felt when they realized what had happened. Naomi’s condition was critical. She had broken bones, a broken pelvis, internal injuries and severe damage to her brain stem. Naomi was kept alive with the use of life support. For the first week after the accident, the prognosis for Naomi was not good. She did not show any brain activity and it was recommended that the family consider removing Naomi from life support.
Naomi’s parents did not feel at peace with the decision to let Naomi go. They chose to leave Naomi’s fate up to God. Naomi is the youngest of 10 siblings and her family is rooted in strong faith with her father being a pastor of Open Door Baptist Church.
Support from family, friends and the church community was overwhelming. Prayer vigils were held, hundreds visited the hospital and sent provisions to the Hannah family.
Shortly after the family made the decision not to remove Naomi from the life support, she miraculously began to show some movement. Slowly but surely Naomi started showing signs of brain activity after the nearly fatal accident. She spent a few months in the hospital, followed by a few months in rehab, but Naomi was still catatonic. She was expressionless and non-responsive to her family.
Eight months after the accident, Tabitha, who was a caregiver to her sister, recalls a pivotal moment: “While I was putting Naomi to bed, I was being silly with her and Naomi laughed for the first time.”
Although she suffered severe disabilities from the traumatic brain injury, the family was so grateful to have their “Nay” home and showing signs of progress. As months turned to years, Naomi’s family and friends watched as Naomi slowly began making progress in her rehabilitation.
Naomi turned 28 at the beginning of August. Her strong will, unshakeable faith, resilience, and love and support of her family helped her make many advances. Naomi emerged from a lifeless state after the accident and is now a young, vibrant woman whose strong faith and perseverance has surprised many. She can now stand, pivot, and use her voice.
Although Naomi has spent the past 10 years in a wheel chair, it has not stopped her from enjoying life. Naomi sings in the church choir, helps with youth camps, loves taking pictures and riding horses, and is even a guest speaker at Roberts Wesleyan College for the social work and nursing programs.
Naomi was always a bit of a thrill seeker and still is. She wanted to do something amazing on her 28th birthday – jump out of an airplane! And that is exactly what she did. With the help of her family and contacts at WNY Skydiving, Naomi made a tandem jump out of a plane in Albion. “It was amazing and unexplainable,” Naomi said, grinning ear to ear.
Family and friends watched excitedly as Naomi fulfilled her dream of jumping out of a plane. “It’s amazing to see how our life can go from that to this, to be a witness to her perseverance, and to be part of it is God’s miracle,” said her sister, Tabitha. “Her passion for life is awe-inspiring.”
Naomi’s leap of faith is likely just the start of her miraculous and inspiring journey.
