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DRAPER — Loriann Gabrielsen, 59, defied all medical explanation and survived a near-death boating accident in the fall of 2014.
“Loriann is in the 1 percent,” said David Gabrielsen, Loriann’s husband. “The miracle is that we don’t have a lottery in Utah, but we won the lottery.”
Loriann and her son Moke said they were sitting still on a jet ski when a boat accidentally ran them over.
“I don’t remember very much but what I do remember is going to Lake Powell. … I hear Moke say, ‘Mom, a boat!’ ”
Moke said his mother protected him from the collision as much as she could. Luckily, Moke survived the accident with just a cut that needed to be sewn up with stiches.
Loriann was hit the hardest. She suffered broken ribs, a broken shoulder bone, a compound fracture to her femur and deep lacerations to her skull from the boat’s propeller.
“(The propeller) cut into my brain,” Loriann said.
Doctors said it was a miracle that Loriann survived and recovered as quickly as she did. Some believed she would have to stay in the hospital for five months. Instead, she left after just three weeks.
“She had a very big bleed inside of her skull, compressing her brain,” said Dr. Chad D. Cole, Loriann’s neurosurgeon. “She was a very active person, which helped a lot, (but) I was surprised by the fact that she recovered so quickly.”
Loriann’s husband said she only had 45 minutes left to live after her accident, but there were countless miracles on that scary day. The Gabrielsens luckily had cellphone reception and there happened to be a Life Flight helicopter nearby, able to get Loriann into surgery just in time.
“All the doctors said because of that impact we both should have died,” Loriann said. “Instead it was a day of miracles. Miracles are possible. Sometimes we don’t understand why things happen the way they do (but) I never felt sorry for myself. That was one thing that was important in my healing.”
Loriann said she believes her recovery was because of her will to live and the power of her mind.
“It’s what you think and what you believe is what happens to your body,” Loriann said.
On New Year's Eve, Loriann decided she wouldn’t let the accident prevent her from living her life to the fullest. She said she believed she could run races again.
“I decided I wanted to run the Freedom Run,” said Loriann. “My kids were like, ‘No! Remember? You were in an accident — you can’t run!”
Life isn't meant to be easy. But we can go into choice. I believe that miracles are possible and it's also in your head what you think. If you think they're possible, they are possible.
–Loriann Gabrielsen
Loriann and her husband David said running has been a big part of their lives. In fact, one of their family traditions is participating in Provo’s Freedom Run.
“It’s a family tradition,” Loriann said. “We’ve done it at least the last 20 years.”
Loriann's big family supports her plans to participate in the run, including her husband.
“Loriann and I would run a lot together. It’s been a big part of our life,” David said. “So I’m looking forward to it.”
With a rod in her leg and leg muscles torn, Loriann still trains for the race.
“I never felt sorry for myself. That was one thing I think was important in my healing. I was always grateful for any achievement I had, for visits and for prayers.”
Loriann said she could have decided revenge but instead chose forgiveness.
“Life isn’t meant to be easy. But we can go into choice and how we deal with everything that happens in our lives,” Loriann said.
She said her accident taught her that miracles exist.
“I believe that miracles are possible and it’s also in your head what you think. If you think they’re possible, they are possible.”
The annual Freedom Run is set for July 4 at Kiwanis Park in Provo.
