Ginger Moore returns to Samo after severe accident

In the afternoon of Aug. 27, 2018, a car collided with Ginger Moore (’20). Despite initial, contradicting reports, Moore suffered a concussion and the following effects left her incapable of continuing her junior year. Now, students welcome Moore back as she  returns to finish her last year of high school. Moore had been on the way home from school when a car accelerated into her bike. The impact threw her on the right shoulder. Moore’s helmet protected her during the preceding fall. Though in shock, she sustained no apparent injuries and an ambulance was not called. The driver assisted her and waited until her dad arrived. Though she was admitted to the ER at the Saint John's Health Center, the doctors concluded that she did not suffer any injuries, and she was allowed to return home that evening. Fellow classmates of Moore recall their reaction to the news of the accident, including Morgan Jarow (’22), sousaphone leader of Samo’s Marching Band. “I was shocked, I didn’t think anything like that could happen here,” Jarow said. Moore returned to school the next morning, and the next few weeks were uneventful. However, a month later, she found it increasingly difficult to read. Letters were moving and her vision became blurry. Furthermore, she experienced frequent fatigue and intense headaches. This affected her academics and energy levels. “[I felt] like a fifth of what [I was] before,” Moore said.  After an examination at an optometrist, it was discovered that she did suffer a concussion, and she was diagnosed with Post-Concussion Disorder. The disorder includes varying symptoms such as dizziness and light sensitivity which can persist for more than a year after the initial concussion. The doctors guess that whiplash from the accident’s impact had induced it. The symptoms plagued her throughout the year. “During all of my junior year... I was constantly missing school, at some point I didn’t go to school at all. I was missing out on concerts and assignments,” Moore said.  Although she attended therapy, the symptoms did not cease, which prevented her from playing the oboe and english horn in Marching Band, Orchestra and Concert Band.  The effects of the accident persisted throughout the year, but after spending the majority of the summer resting, Moore regained strength and decided to return to her role as a Samo student and musician for the new school year.  “It was nice seeing her after a long time,” David Bautista (’21) a saxophone player on band, said. Looking back at the accident, Moore realizes how fortunate she was.  “The front tire [of my bike] was completely destroyed, and also the gears were bent inwards. The guy who fixed my bike was like, ‘yeah your bike took the brunt of the hit, so if you were walking you probably would have died or broken a bone’,” Moore said.  Although she did note that senior year frightened her, she is glad to be back. Her recovery allows her to apply to colleges outside California as well.   “I’m thinking about going to Hawaii or maybe up to Oregon,” Moore said.  Despite the accident, she encourages other students to bike to school. However, she recommends wearing a helmet, since it most likely saved her life.