When plans break, purpose endures: UK grad overcomes life-altering crash

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 5, 2026) — Plans can be easy to make.

In fact, we make them every day — big and small, short-term and long-term — often without even thinking twice.

But it’s the plans we make for our future that begin to take root.

Those are the ones that define us.

Over time, those plans become more than intentions; they are expectations — shaping the way we see ourselves and the direction we believe our lives are meant to take.

Four years ago, Amber Mandhyan arrived at the University of Kentucky an eager freshman — with a plan.

The 18-year-old from Bloomington, Illinois, was ready to take on what she believed would be the most challenging part of college.

“The hardest part would be the classes,” Mandhyan said.

Balancing assignments, preparing for exams, finding her place in a new environment — that was the focus.

And for a while, that held true.

Over the next few years, Mandhyan found her footing in the Gatton College of Business and Economics. She was excelling in and out of the classroom, and the future she had imagined was coming into focus.

But at the start of her junior year, that path — the one Mandhyan so carefully paved — took an unexpected turn.

“I was a passenger in a life-threatening Lyft car accident where I was knocked unconscious for hours,” she said. “I was rushed to the emergency room where they performed critical surgeries.”

Following those surgeries, Mandhyan was unable to do even basic tasks — walking wasn’t an option. And as a result of major facial trauma, which included extensive dental work, she couldn’t speak for months.

“In an instant, my entire life changed.”

‘Not just a school — a second family.’

Suddenly, the things that once felt urgent quickly lost their weight.

“Deadlines, exams, internships and plans for the future became irrelevant,” Mandhyan said.

Instead, her focus shifted to recovery — both physical and emotional. As Mandhyan worked to heal, she was also navigating a traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome.

“There were moments when I felt overwhelmed,” Mandhyan continued. “Moments when I wanted to give up. Moments when I did not know how I would keep going.”

But she didn’t face those moments alone.

“What carried me through that season was not just my own strength,” she said. “It was the people around me.”

Mandhyan’s family was the first to step in — advocating for her when she couldn’t and providing constant support during an uncertain time.

That same sense of support extended to the classroom.

“When my family reached out to Gatton, people stepped in immediately,” she said. “They made space for what I was facing, instead of expecting me to return to normal overnight.”

Faculty and staff worked quickly to ensure Mandhyan could continue her education while prioritizing her recovery — helping her complete the semester remotely and easing logistical burdens.

And it wasn’t just professors who showed up.

“I remember coming back after one of my surgeries and missing class,” she said. “Before I could even ask, someone I had never even spoken to went out of their way to send me their notes, explain what we covered and made sure I did not fall behind.”

What might have seemed like a small gesture became something much more. In time, Mandhyan began to see UK and Gatton College not just as a place to learn, but as something deeper.

“Not just a school — a second family.”

Even before the accident, Mandhyan had experienced glimpses of that community through her involvement on the Dean’s Advisory Panel. But after, that support became personal.

“I no longer just saw that support from the outside. I lived it.”

Through surgeries, appointments and setbacks, Mandhyan kept moving forward — one step at a time.

“I completed that semester online while recovering,” she said. “I returned in person the following semester. I kept moving through injuries, appointments, procedures and setbacks.”

Taking one step forward

Today, when Mandhyan thinks about the future, it’s still a bit daunting.

“My dream of becoming a lawyer feels distant at times, as I continue to navigate cognitive challenges and chronic migraines resulting from the trauma,” she explained. “There are still many unknowns.”

Mandhyan says the emotional trauma is equally as challenging — as she still attends various medical appointments.

“At the same time, what I have come to realize is that my journey is no longer about having everything figured out,” she said. “It’s about continuing to take one step forward, no matter how small that step may be.”

This weekend, Mandhyan is walking toward a milestone that once felt uncertain.

“I am standing here graduating on time with my class — and earning two degrees.”

She will cross the UK Commencement stage to receive a Bachelor of Science in accounting and Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.

“I’m forever thankful to Dean Sheather, professors and advisors who stepped in to support me," she said. "Their willingness to provide accommodations, understanding and a constant source of encouragement made it possible for me to continue moving forward during such a difficult time.”

‘Accept help when you need it.’

As it turns out, plans aren’t always about preparation. And they’re certainly not about perfection.

Often, it’s perseverance that bring them together.

“Resilience is real, but it is not pretending everything is fine. It is not powering through alone,” Mandhyan said. “It is accepting help. It is letting other people believe in you until you can believe in yourself again. It is the decision to keep moving forward when life does not go according to plan.

“This place shaped me. It challenged me. It pushed me to grow. But more importantly, it showed me what real community looks like.”

Now, her advice is simple — and hard-earned.

“Lean on the people who care about you. Accept help when you need it. Keep going.”

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The May 2026 Commencement Ceremonies will be Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. More information is available at commencement.uky.edu.