I Am the Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility

 By: Trisha Meili

On April 19, 1989, Trisha Meili was out for a nighttime jog in New York City when she was brutally attacked, raped, and left for dead. Trisha, who became known worldwide as “The Central Park Jogger,” was beaten so severely that she could only be identified by a ring with a golden bow she always wore. With a 75-80% loss of blood volume, she was given less than a 50% chance of survival and last rites were administered. Miraculously, Trisha clung to life and made a recovery that was against all odds. In her book, I Am the Central Park Jogger, Trisha recounts the story of her recovery to “…turn something truly horrible into something positive,” and to use her experience “as the basis for inspiration” for a world that once comforted her with prayers, letters, gifts, and kindness.

Walking us through the immediate aftermath of the attack, Trisha notes how crucial it was for her to remain entirely focused on her recovery, rather than letting self-pity, anger, or the daunting road ahead discourage her. As she writes, “Each sign of improvement, no matter how minuscule, spurred me forward… I held on to them firmly, focusing on what I had achieved rather than on how insignificant the achievement was.” Her recovery was not defined by one major breakthrough, but rather the accumulation of all the small victories. Whether it was buttoning her shirt all by herself or being able to recall what she had eaten for breakfast, these achievements made her strive for more.

Nevertheless, for having sustained such severe brain trauma, setbacks and complications were inevitable. Trisha describes the terror she felt while she was reading a book during rehabilitation and could not remember anything she read on the previous page. It was in moments like this where the encouragement from those around her helped most. Everyone from doctors, nurses, and therapists, to family, friends, and even strangers gave her hope “and from hope there emerges possibility.”

The combination of hard work, a focus on the present, and encouragement from others helped Trisha to recover far beyond anyone’s expectations. Through her struggles and triumphs, Trisha learned that “healing is as much a function of the heart as it is of medicine.” Breaking 14 years of anonymity, I Am the Central Park Jogger introduces Trisha to those whose hearts she can inspire with hope. As she concludes, “I realized: I could make a difference in the lives of others, just as others had made a difference in my recovery. I am a woman who has been inspired by the capacity of the human spirit to be well. Now I wanted to reach other peoples’ spirits, other peoples’ hearts. I started my book.”

Review by Greg McGee, contact him at gmcgee@minutesformemories.org

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