Belle's Recovery Fund

Beloved community —

If you've landed on this page it's because you've heard that our dear friend Belle is in need of community care after her recent near-death accident in late May 2024.

Whether you know Belle or not, I want to tell you more about this absolutely magnificent human before we get into the story of her accident.

From the very moment I met Belle, her name became synonymous with the great outdoors for me. After building out her van & starting her graphic design business in 2020 — she hit the road with her pup Hazel and has been on a non-stop adventure of truly living life ever since.

From hiking to rock climbing to ultra-trail running — she does it all. Any way she can move her body in the natural terrain of Mother Earth, she does. Who Belle is & how she has bravely chosen to live her life is nothing short of inspiring. She is one of the kindest, most down to Earth people you will ever meet.

So on May 17th, it was another typical adventurous day for Belle as she packed up her climbing gear with her friend, Joyce, to go climbing for the day in North Bend. The conditions were threatening rain — but the weather held out and it turned out to be a wonderful day as they set out with their packs full of snacks & water.

After several hours of climbing on some slightly damp rock but enjoying every moment of being outside — they were walking back to their packs after the best route of the day. After taking a few steps off the belay ledge, Belle's foot slipped near the edge of the cliff line.

After a few attempts to grab onto something to brace her fall, Belle fell and tumbled around 60 feet down a steep slope.

When Joyce made it to Belle, she was unconscious & covered in blood with several serious injuries. As she eventually woke up, she couldn't remember hardly anything — where she was, what she had for breakfast, what happened.

As the paramedics arrived, they checked Belle for spinal and brain injuries, put a neck brace on, and rushed her to the hospital to be examined & receive medical treatment.

A few CT scans and x-rays later, it was revealed that Belle had an orbital bone fracture (the eye socket) and nasal fractures. She received 8 stitches for a gash in her elbow and 2 stitches for a cut on her nose.

The doctors told Belle, although this is very traumatic, she is lucky to be alive after a fall like that.

And that's what brings us here & why we get to gather as a community to support Belle in her road to recovery.

Not only was the accident physically traumatic, but has created a lot of emotional & mental stress for Belle as she processes her near-death experience.

The $25,000 we will raise together will support Belle in the following . . .

1. Medical Bills — Belle is a small business owner with limited insurance. The medical bills we will support her in paying are:

2. Therapy — After surviving a near-death experience, there is post-traumatic stress that surfaces mentally & emotionally. Belle will be seeking therapy support for this in the next year.

3. Time Off Work for Recovery: Because Belle is a small business owner, she doesn't have the luxury of paid time off. These funds will help Belle to keep the lights on and pay bills with the time she's had to take off work recovering from her accident and multiple surgeries.

Every dollar counts. Whatever you are able to contribute, Belle is deeply grateful for.

After donating, we also ask you to share this with any friends & family who are willing to contribute to Belle's Recovery Fund at this time.

Thank you so much for the support — go team Belle!

Love, Riona