AUBURN - It can take a great deal of courage to share a story of personal tragedy and triumph.

That's a fact that Virginia Vertucci knows all too well.

Vertucci, author of “Walking Miracle,” who hails from Ilion, was the guest speaker at the Finger Lakes Christian Women's Connection “Let the Sunshine In” luncheon Tuesday afternoon at the Sunset Restaurant.

“Me, a shy person, speaking in front of people,” Vertucci said. “I never thought I could do this, but I know that I can and that all things can be accomplished through Jesus Christ.”

Vertucci, who was originally from New Jersey, said that growing up she considered herself a person of faith, going to church on a regular basis, but didn't really take as active a part in her faith as she does now.

Her life changed dramatically on March 30, 1975, when she was in a vehicle with her sisters that hit a pot hole and spun out of control. They then hit a telephone pole, knocking loose a wire that electrocuted Vertucci.

Vertucci said she was in the hospital unconscious for six weeks.

“It did damage to my brain stem,” she said. “They said that I would never walk again. They didn't really ever expect me to regain consciousness.”

But defying the odds, Vertucci did regain consciousness and then spent eight months rehabilitating.

“All the time, all I dreamt about was going back to school,” Vertucci said. “And I did go back, but they didn't know how to treat me. Because I did things slow they wanted to put me in special ed classes. I got more and more depressed. But I did manage to graduate with my class.”

After graduating in 1978, Vertucci said she bounced from job to job and that her feelings of depression worsened. She even attempted suicide on several occasions, ending up in psychiatric hospitals, at which point Vertucci said she hit rock bottom.

In December 1983, Vertucci said she decided to move to New York, and while on a trip home in 1984, she had another accident.

“While I was recovering, a man asked me if I believed in God,” Vertucci said. “I thought that was a silly question. Of course I believed in God.”

But the more she said she thought about it, the more Vertucci came to realize that her faith was something passive in her life.

Vertucci said she knew she had to come back to New York and find a church.

“I was walking through the snow,” Vertucci said, “trying to find a church and then when I walked in to one. I saw a crucifix and ... realized that Jesus did love me and that he had died for my sins and I believed that he was there for me.”

Since having this revelation, Vertucci said she's gone on to do many of the things she never thought she would be capable of doing with her life, such as being the mother of two children and working as an elementary school teaching assistant and speaking and sharing her story of faith.

“I no longer see myself as disabled,” Vertucci said. “I see myself as challenged and we are all challenged, but I know that through Jesus Christ all things are possible.”

Rose Roser, acting chairperson for luncheon group, said that these monthly luncheons are a way for women to connect with one another and discuss their lives, as well as their faith, in a relaxed and inviting setting.

“It is an outreach,” Roser said. “We are a ladies connection group. There are groups like this all over the world and we are one of three in upstate New York.”

While the luncheons are a more informal gathering, Roser said the group also participates in things such as Bible study and couples connections.

And while there is a solid base of women involved in the group, part of the mission is for members to bring along friends to introduce them to the group.

“It is very welcoming,” Roser said. “Really, once you are here it is like you are part of the whole group.”

Meeting at the Sunset on the second Tuesday of every month, the group shares lunch before listening to a guest speaker. Roser said that generally these speakers are women who have had a moment of revelation that has served as a life-changing experience for them, inspiring them to share their stories.