Colleen's "Taking Back Her Life!"
NOTE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2018
Colleen is now permanently disabled, and unable to work a job.
She has obtained approval for Social Security benefits, but they haven’t arrived.
PREVIOUSLY:
My name is Jim Frazier and my daughter calls this her “Taking Back My Life!” battle. It was stolen from her on January 5, 2016 when a hit & run driver left her dying as she was crossing the street. A crowd of strangers came to her aid and she was rushed to the ER in Charlotte, NC. Miraculously, she survived the night. Doctors say it literally was a miracle.
It took 6 major surgeries to repair broken bones in her back, shoulder, ribs, hip, leg, elbow and face. When I first saw her, she was in a medically induced coma. It's been a long, painful road – after 3 weeks in ICU, she spent another 2 in the hospital before she started intensive rehab. All of this took place in a city that Colleen was only visiting – she knew no one.
(SMILING THROUGH THE PAIN)
Our family took shifts putting our lives on hold to be there until Colleen could be moved to her mother's house in Virginia. Medical bills and out of pocket expenses – plus lost wages – have depleted all of the resources we have. The driver was never caught, and – despite legal help – Social Security disability benefits have yet to materialize. Now we need another miracle.
I am writing this because we are frankly out of money – and the bills keep coming. Colleen is back in Jacksonville, NC – and plans to restart work at a military base. Her daughter Victoria wants to finish her Senior year of high school there. Colleen's remarkable doctors and therapists are there.
Because Colleen has been unable to work for over 2 years, she needs financial assistance asap to pay rent on a modest apartment and for out-of-pocket expenses until she gets back on her feet. A donation of ANY amount and/or healing thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated. If you can't help financially, can you please share a link to this page? Just knowing you care is a major boost to our spirits.
(WE'RE WALKING... WE'RE WALKING...)
Every day is still a struggle. Colleen is dealing with a traumatic brain injury and a body that was shattered. She’s chosen low-dosage pain management, which makes extended activity and exercise difficult, sometimes impossible. Colleen started a part-time job, but she faces months of healing before she can resume a full-time work schedule.
(FIRST DAY OF PART-TIME WORK 10/24/17)
Characteristically independent, Colleen returned to Jacksonville, NC. She selected a team of remarkable doctors and therapists and continued her astonishing recovery. Every day was a struggle. She chose low-dosage pain management, which made extended activity and exercise difficult, sometimes impossible. Against all odds, Colleen started walking. Fiercely determined to recover, every therapy milestone was celebrated with caregivers, family and friends.
Although she still faced months of healing, she started a part-time job at a retail store.
Then, two years after the accident, she was hit with the toughest break yet.
An unexpected setback-- her left leg stopped responding again. Colleen had developed Spinal Syringomyelia, a debilitating cyst which occurred as a result of the original trauma Colleen’s back suffered in the hit and run accident. A surgery this March provided some relief and some hope, but a recent MRI has confirmed everyone’s worst fears – the lower thoracic part of her spinal cord had become extremely tethered.
The doctor declared it inoperable, with advancing nerve damage. Colleen is now permanently disabled.
Here are some words from my heart:
Please know I wouldn't ask for money unless I felt there was no other option. Both Colleen and I hate to ask for help. We have always shared the privilege of being able to help others. This is a difficult adjustment. Please rest assured that every dime from this campaign will go directly to her. Life can be hard for everyone and I realize most people are dealing with Big Stuff and money problems too. All I can say is --if you can help in any way -- we will pay it forward when we can.
For those of you who have never met Colleen, a few more words from my heart. This is a woman who has dealt with more than her share of bad luck. A year before her accident, Colleen's oldest daughter Chelsea was also struck by a hit and run driver while riding her bike to work. She recovered, but the driver was never caught and the medical bills were sky-high. But despite everything, Colleen is almost always upbeat. She's courageous under fire – once she's had a good cry. She's tough with a big, tender heart. Wickedly funny & fun-loving, folks instantly like her. She is absolutely driven to pull her own weight and leaves the campground cleaner than she found it. She keeps her promises, and is forgiving, loving and loyal. I'm obviously biased, but I promise you'll be helping someone who lights up whatever room or life she enters.
Thank you for anything you can do to help Colleen “take back her life.”
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Friday, February 23, 2018
Dear Go Fund Me friends,
I need to share some bad news... there has been a serious complication in the last few weeks and we need to ask for your continuing care. Today Colleen is in the hospital and is awaiting surgery to correct a debilitating spinal syrinx, which has developed as a result of the original trauma her back suffered in the hit and run accident.
It is painful for me to write that I have just increased our goal to a much higher amount, that my daughter is facing even more pain and that this unexpected hurdle has blindsided our family. She's still fighting! And she has a strong and caring medical team working to get her literally "back on her feet." But it's going to take months and money we don't have.
Thank you for reading, for caring and for joining us in this challenging time. Every dollar helps and every dollar from this Go Fund Me will go straight to Colleen to cover her modest living expenses, her doctors and therapy. Please share our situation with the good people in your circle and may God bless you all.
JIM FRAZIER
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