Alexandra Newton

Dear family and friends,

On September 19th, while in Italy for a friend’s wedding, Alex was involved in a serious accident. Fortunately, no one else was hurt. Unfortunately, Alex did sustain a multitude of serious injuries - shattered L5 vertebra, fractured knee, and numerous fractures throughout both feet. She remains on strict bed red to avoid paralysis. Despite the severity of damage, she maintains near-full body function with no paralysis. We are blessed that she is alive and suffered no damage to her brain. Her personality is unaltered, her humor is intact and her optimism is remarkable, despite the nature of reality.

What lies ahead will be extremely arduous, but doctors are confident given the correct execution of treatment, she will achieve a full recovery. That said, achieving the proper treatment will be extremely expensive as well as logistically challenging. Alex and our Mom (after 20hrs of travel) are currently at a hospital in Lake Como, Italy - roughly 90 minutes north of Milan. The first priority is operating on her spine. The nature of the fracture (burst) is such that several pieces are loose, requiring a fusion to prevent the pieces from doing damage to surrounding nerves, running up the spinal cord. The surgery requires top tier surgeons - the kind only apparently found in Rome & Milan within the country. As you can imagine, moving her very far in her current condition is highly risky, so returning to the US for the procedure has been ruled out. Please know we are working diligently with insurance and researching any resources out there. Best bets will either be moving her to Milan or Rome if possible.

Most of all we ask you for your prayers and positive energy at this time. Alex is a strong, confident, determined woman. We know she will defeat every challenge that lies ahead. We also understand the expenses of Alex’s medical care, transportation, rehabilitation and daily challenges - and we will do whatever is required to make sure money doesn’t stand in her way from receiving the best treatment possible, and therefore are asking for any help you are able to offer.

Finally, while we know everyone is concerned with the nature of her accident, our family’s main focus is on the procedures she will endure and the road to recovery that lies ahead. Alex shares the following in her own words… "Wednesday night, after the wedding welcome party, we went back to the apartment we were renting in Lake Como. I went into the bathroom, alone, and began getting ready for bed. The next thing I remember is waking up at a hospital in Lake Como. My friends found me on the street outside of our apartment, minutes after my fall, three floors down on the pavement. I have no recollection of the accident and potentially never will. I am choosing not to focus on that. We do know that 1) there was no foul play 2) that I was alone and 3) it was not intentional. We think I must have slipped or lost consciousness and fell out of the balcony window in the bathroom on the third floor. I am so thankful to be alive - and to be myself, still. And, I am so insanely grateful for access to mental health care that will allow me to process this trauma and support me in living a full, intentional life. Everyone deserves that."

We will update all - as her condition and medical decisions are determined. Thank you all in advance for your compassion, love, and prayers through this challenging time.

With love,

Her family & friends