Martin sustained a traumatic brain injury in an automobile accident when she was 16 years old. She was in a coma for 15 days and woke up paralyzed.

“While I was in the coma I remember hearing people around me and I remember the accident, but when I woke up, I had no idea where I was,” Martin said. “My status is an incomplete quadriplegic. I have some movement in my legs and my arms.”

Friday Martin toured the hyperbaric chamber at the Idaho Doctor’s Hospital Healing Center on Alameda Road where she met owner Jeff Hampsten during a scuba experience at H & H Dive. While the benefits of hyperbaric treatment for traumatic brain injury are well documented, Martin said her injury is too old for her to receive treatment.

Peaches, an Australian shepherd, laid quietly at her feet as Martin, originally from Rock Springs, Wyo., told her story.

Martin was a junior in high school when the accident happened. She spent six months in the hospital and upon her release she attended summer school to catch up.

“I started that next year as a senior and I graduated with my class,” Martin said. “My school let me do physical therapy as my P.E. credit.”

She came to Pocatello as a graduate student at Idaho State University and Martin said she stayed because the Gate City offered everything she needed to be independent.

“My family was surprised when I told them I was going to stay,” Martin said. “They said, ‘Why?’ But there were services in place here that allowed me to live on my own, at that time, those services weren’t available there.”

Martin has been active in the CW HOG Outdoor Adventure Center and since getting involved in the group, which provides outdoor opportunities for adults with disabilities, Martin has learned to ski, she’s been horseback riding and even traveled to Mexico with the group.

“I refer a lot of my clients to CW HOG,” Martin said.

Support from family and friends helped her to overcome obstacles created by injuries, and that’s just what they were to Martin, bumps in the road. Her position at Life Inc. provides her the opportunity to share her strength and experience with other disabled adults.

“I hope that it helps them to know that I do understand what they’re up against,” Martin said.

Martin offered some strong words of advice to others dealing with a disability, or just going through a difficult time.

“Give yourself time to grieve, but don’t stay there,” Martin said. “Once you get over grieving, get out and live your dreams.”