Amanda and Ben

I’m Autumn Smith, an old friend of Amanda (Mandy) Strong.

On December 17th 2022, Amanda had her commencement for her Masters degree. Afterward she had an intimate celebratory dinner with family and her son Ben. Driving home after she witnessed a crash. She pulled over off to the side of the road into a safe area, telling Ben to stay in the car, she got out to help the people in the accident.

I’m going to pause for a minute and let you know about Mandy. If you don’t personally know her. Mandy is a kind soul, humanitarian through and through. She has always helped others as much as she can, so it was nothing for her to stop to see if she could help the people that had crashed, at least until police/rescue showed up.

While checking on the people that were involved in the accident, Mandy was struck by a car. Physically.

I have to pause again. Ben witnessed Mandy get hit and immediately called 911. He played the major part of saving Mandy’s life. What a smart young man!

Mandy suffered multiple injuries requiring multiple surgeries thus far. Some injuries were neck and spinal breaks, both legs broken, severed artery in one leg, broken ribs, and burns. Mandy spent the first weeks intubated and sedated.

One of the first doctors that worked on her in the ER came to visit her once she was awake and alert a few weeks later. He told her it is a total miracle that she is alive and even more of a miracle that she is “with it mentally”. He said he never thought she would make it through that first night and if she did he believed she would have a severe brain injury.

Mandy is on the road to recovery. She is remaining strong and putting up a fight to recover so she can return home to Ben.

She will be having a few more surgeries for skin grafts and reconstruction of her legs, and then she will be working on walking again. Once she is stable enough she will be moving from the hospital to rehab so she can recover enough to go home with assistance.

Mandy’s husband, Ben’s dad, Rod passed a few years ago, so Mandy is the sole provider for their home. The person who hit her didn’t have car insurance to cover any of her bills.

I am asking for anyone to donate to help with medical bills, rehab bills, home care bills, with her usual house bills, and anything else she can use help with. This is going to be a very long recovery period for Mandy. Dealing with fighting to recover and worrying about home and of course not being able to care for Ben and be involved like normal is weighing very heavy on her. Anything will help! I’m asking, please if you can help, it will be gratefully appreciated! All donations will be going directly to Mandy and Ben.

Thank you in advance!!!

-Autumn