My name is Omar Sanchez and I'm a 17 year old high school student living in a small town

in rural West Virginia.

My life over the last several years was an extraordinary, and until recently, I considered

myself a normal American teenager.

Although I'm an only child, I grew up in a loving household and was given a good start

in life by my mom and dad.

We aren't rich, but my family is comfortable enough.

I got decent grades at school, played running back on the football team, had a close network

of friends and a beautiful girlfriend called Emily.

Sure, I was a strappy teenager prone to occasional mood swings and the usual high school drama.

I've gotten in trouble a few times, but nothing too serious.

All in all, I was a happy kid with a bright future ahead of me, as I thought about college

and building a life for myself.

But after the accident, everything changed, as I was forced to acknowledge that my entire

existence is based on a lie.

Once I tell you I was in a car crash, you'll probably imagine a horrific accident that left

me broken and crippled.

Well, this isn't the case.

In many ways, I was very lucky.

I was driving home late one Saturday night after attending a party.

Thankfully, I wasn't drinking that evening, but I was driving too fast and texting at the

same time, and clearly a recipe for disaster.

...