by Amanda Radkowski

Whenever you mention the name Mandy Bradshaw, everyone has a tale to tell about her. Whether it's a time she encouraged them and gave them hope, or simply how she made them laugh so hard it made them cry. Some people will tell you how their life changed when they first met Mandy, others will tell you how her accident changed them. Mandy is a walking light. She has shown so many people to Christ -- people that she may never know because there are just so many of them.

I can remember exactly when I met Mandy. I was a 6th grader in Middle School; I was pretty shy and not that outgoing. Mandy came up to me and asked me what my name was. When I said my name was Amanda, she smiled, and for a short while we compared names - and then she asked me do I ever get annoyed when people do call me Mandy, I laughed and said sometimes. From that point on, Mandy hung out with Claire, Megan and myself.

As I was going through LUG, she always energetic, funny, kind, carefree and always smiling. She was and is one of the biggest role models in my life. I knew when I was a LUG head I wanted to be just like her. When I first heard of her accident I was at church. Marilyn (the receptionist) had gotten a call telling her to contact anyone she could that was left in the office and tell them Mandy was in a horrible car crash. I left church with a feeling that I could never describe. Every day after that, I would call and listen to the updates that Mr. Bradshaw would leave. I couldn't understand why God would do such a horrible thing, especially to Mandy who didn't deserve it. I questioned God and his actions, because I didn't understand His plan. But it wasn't until later that I would understand.

I have been a Christian all of my life, but Mandy's tragedy caused a disturbance in my life. For the first time, I was challenging God and my faith in Him. Everything that was clear became blurry. I started to look for answers to my questions. I found myself finding ways to get more involved as a Christian. I started paying more attention during church, I started attending home group and Student Venture (which is a campus crusade for Christ.) For the first time I felt this undying fire for God. When I finally realized that God was using Mandy in my life, I started sharing Mandy's story and her amazing recovery. Every Wednesday the girls' Bible study would pray for her.

I've learned a lot from Mandy, I've learned to be carefree and outgoing but her accident has strengthened my relationship and faith in God. I always wanted to get more involved, but I just never did it. Mandy's accident lead me searching for answers and through that I got involved. Mandy is truly an awesome and amazing person and I realize she's one of those people who has the spiritual strength and faith to get through anything, including this. I read the other stories on this webpage and in the guestbook about how Mandy's affected them, and it just leaves me in amazement. How one person *really* can change the world and they way it works. Mandy I love you and I continue to pray for you!