Support Katrina’s recovery after her heroic act

My mom, Katrina Richardson, has been a crossing guard for Killeen ISD for 9 years. On Thursday, November 14th, she was struck by a vehicle while crossing children at Brookhaven Elementary School. She doesn’t recall anything from the accident, but we have been told by witnesses that she pushed a child out of the way to save them from getting hit by the vehicle in the crosswalk. She suffered a very severe compound break in her lower tibia just above her ankle. Her foot was turned in the wrong direction and her broken bones protruded from her leg with an 8 inch tear in the tissue above her ankle. She had a steel plate and pins placed in her leg to reconstruct the broken bones. She is currently being monitored for any additional injuries and undergoing physical therapy and occupational therapy inpatient in an attempt to regain motion in her left ankle/lower leg. Upon her eventual discharge from the hospital, she will be moved to a skilled nursing facility to continue her rehabilitation journey.

My dad had to quit his job as a Killeen ISD crossing guard earlier this year due to his declining health. My mom was the only individual in their household who was able to work, now we are unsure how long it will be before she is able to get back on her feet and return to work. My parents live on a very fixed income and it will be nearly impossible to make ends meet and fulfill their basic needs without my mom’s income.

From the moment I was able to first see her after the accident she immediately asked about her “babies.” The kids that she crosses now (and all of the kids in the past) are her whole world. She loves her job and she loves getting to love on her babies everyday. It breaks her heart to not be able to see them right now. My mom will have a long and difficult recovery ahead of her. We would greatly appreciate prayers and positive thoughts during this time.