October 29, 2010
Amputee Addresses Tiffin University Student-Athletes on Life Lessons
Release courtesy of
Bonnie Tiel, Tiffin University F.A.R.
TIFFIN, Ohio -
Sarah Panzau spoke to 700 plus Tiffin University student-athletes
in the Gillmor Gymnasium on October 27th, 2010. Panzau was a
two-time JUCO All-American volleyball player who drove drunk [.308]
and survived a near-fatal car accident that left her with one arm,
many scars, and yet, a new lust for life. After nearly forty
surgeries, she rose above adversity to qualify for the USA
Paralympics volleyball team and competed internationally until more
surgeries ended her career forever.
It is impossible to express the
emotion Sarah drew out of her young Tiffin audience as she
passionately told her gut-wrenching story of a flawed decision that
led to a severed limb, countless broken bones, life-threatening
internal injuries, weeks in a coma, months in a hospital, being
declared a “Jane Doe” until her mother could positively
identify the body, and being forever labeled a disabled handicapped
person. Sarah was a competitively driven student-athlete and
a perfect example that while most college students live for the
moment thinking they are relatively invincible, one poor choice can
forever shatter a life and become a parent’s worst
nightmare.
Panzau described years of
rebelling against a parent who seemingly and relentlessly badgered
her to excel in sports, school, work, relationships, and every
facet of her life. Now, that former perception of
over-intrusion has been replaced by knowing she was blessed with a
caring parent who should have been cherished instead of
chastised.
One can only wonder what a Sarah
Panzau – before the accident – would have added to a
Tiffin University volleyball team. Those young ladies
are definitely bound for success in many areas of their life, just
like so many Tiffin University student-athletes. But, the
Sarah Panzau – before the accident – was more concerned
with being the life of the party than the stud on the court or the
brain in the classroom.
The Sarah Panzau of today –
after the accident - would have appreciated having the opportunity
to compete just one more time……. if only she could
turn back the hands of time to change one poor decision in her
life.
Panzau's final comments were
acknowledged by lengthy applause and a standing ovation. Her
testament of the consequences of her drunk-driving and rebellious
life-style and her post-accident ambition to rise above a
disability and change the course of her life will hopefully have a
lasting impact on those fortunate enough to have witnessed the
power of the Sarah Panzau experience.
