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Getting JoCathy Back on Her Feet

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In a flash, JoCathy's life has been forever altered.

Driving home from work the evening of Monday, June 10, JoCathy was struck from behind by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, and was rushed to Regional One's Elvis Presley Trauma Center in critical condition.

The impact of the crash left her with more than a dozen broken ribs, fluid on her lungs, lacerations on her head, and significant damage to her spine. During emergency spinal fusion surgery, the doctors removed bone fragments from between her vertebrae, but the longterm prognosis from the spinal cord damage she sustained remains to be determined. While we want to stay positive, it is uncertain if JoCathy will regain feeling from the waist down or the mobility necessary to walk again.

No matter her prognosis, hope still remains. And, for this reason, we are helping raise funds to keep hope alive.

Hope lies in rigorous, multidisciplinary spinal cord injury rehabilitation, the necessary next step for JoCathy. Her family is working tirelessly to have her transferred to the best possible facility for her unique injuries once she is discharged from acute hospital care. And, despite JoCathy's injuries, she is ready to do the work required of her for the best possible outcome. Because of her willingness to do what's necessary and with a strong support system behind her, we believe she can make meaningful progress over the course of her rehabilitation to maximize her independence and quality of life in the years that follow.

As JoCathy's loved ones have sat with her over the past two weeks, they've learned first hand the toll the accident has taken on her physically and mentally as well as the overwhelming burden she experiences day in and day out as she tries to grasp what her future holds based on where she is today. The sooner she can start with rehabilitation, the better. With help from her family and friends near and far, and Lord willing, we know miracles are possible.

Please join us in helping defray expenses JoCathy has and will continue to incur over the course of her recovery. Our goal is to raise $100,000 as soon as possible to help with:

• Inpatient physical rehabilitation costs that are not covered by JoCathy's insurance and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred prior to and during rehabilitation, such as medical transportation. We expect her to undergo inpatient rehabilitation for at least 6-12 months.
• Long-term outpatient physical and occupational therapy upon her return home
• Home care and/or assisted living costs following her return
• Special needs due to new disabilities (e.g. mobility aids and accessibility modifications to her living space)
• Living expenses and loss of income

Your contribution, no matter its size, is appreciated beyond measure and will go a long way to helping JoCathy on her path to recovery—mind, body and spirit. If you feel so inclined, we urge you to share our campaign link on social media and with your friends and family.

We will continue to update JoCathy's friends on her progress at the hospital and through her recovery using her CaringBridge page, https://caringbridge.org/visit/jocathyelkington.

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JoCathy Brownlee Elkington is a longtime Memphian, mother to Fletcher Elkington (Jamie) and Griffin Elkington (Alison), "JoJo" to four grandchildren, and friend to all who know her. A self-described "Delta Girl," JoCathy was born and raised in Indianola, Mississippi, and she remains attached to the state thanks to lifelong friendships established there and at Mississippi College for Women (MSCW). Quite the storyteller, JoCathy has always been known to be the life and light of the party, and some of her favorite stories to share are of her brief love affair with Elvis Presley in 1975, which have endeared her to Elvis friends and fans throughout the world with whom she's made lasting friendships.

JoCathy hopes to continue to connect in meaningful ways with others online and off, and to be a presence in her children and grandchildren's lives, for they bring her the most joy. More than anything, she doesn't want to be defined by confinement. Please help us share her story to help give her the tools needed to define her life on her terms.

Organizers:
DeLynn Corica
Nancy Dantone
Letetia "Tish" Henley Kirk
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    Co-organizers (4)

    Jamie Elkington
    Organizer
    Memphis, TN
    JoCathy Elkington
    Beneficiary
    DeLynn Corica
    Co-organizer
    Letetia Tish Henley Kirk
    Co-organizer
    Nancy Dantone
    Co-organizer

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