Help Dana Allen and Family Overcome Tragic Setbacks

My family and I are beyond grateful that you took the time to read our GoFundMe. If you cannot donate, that's okay! We understand not everyone can, so please share. This will help immensely by allowing us to reach more people so our family can survive this unfortunate and difficult time financially. Sharing can be more than enough!  

The Devastating Circumstances:

On Sunday, March 23, in Memphis, TN, my mother, Dana Allen (who is the primary caretaker of my mentally disabled uncle and head of the household), was in a serious car accident while on the way to visit me, her daughter, after dropping off my brother, Jacob, at work. While driving on Macon and McCory, two cars in the opposite lanes driving towards her were speeding. One of the vehicles performed an "improper lane change," causing the vehicle to hit the side of the other and ultimately swerve into the far right lane where my mother was, resulting in a head-on collision, ripping off the front of her Nissan and totaling it completely, as documented by the police report and stated by witnesses. She was determined by all parties not to be liable for any part of the wreck, and she was, unfortunately, at the wrong place and wrong time. The crash nearly cost her life and injured her so severely that she was immediately removed from the vehicle, placed in an ambulance, and sent to Methodist North, where they confirmed 3 broken bones in her mid/lower back, a fractured/dislocated finger, a shattered back heel/foot which did result in a bone breaking through the skin, an injured shoulder, multiple large bruises, cuts, and scrapes. She was then transferred to Regional One to have surgery the next morning, March 24, where they placed 8 long large metal screws in her foot. On April 23, at Campbell's Clinic Surgery Center, she had 2 pins put in her finger. These extensive injuries have caused my mother to be temporarily out of work, which has disrupted her and my family's life and financial stability. Her doctors, surgeons, and other medical specialists have not determined exactly when she can do physical therapy or be able to return to work. Furthermore, my mother has been experiencing PTSD symptoms since the crash, including nightmares about accidents, feelings of hopelessness, emotional distress, and more.

Then, exactly 2 weeks after the car accident on April 5, my mother was getting the HVAC system completely replaced by a popular HVAC company in the Memphis/Bartlett area (which will be unnamed) because they had been without air conditioning since the end of Summer 2024. The two technicians arrived that morning and completed their work that afternoon. That night, during a severe thunderstorm and a tornado watch, two back rooms that served as my two uncles' and brother's bedrooms caught fire due to neglectful insulation and copper welding of the outside unit, which ignited the wall insulation, as determined by the insurance company and HVAC company's investigation. Everything in those rooms was lost, and damage to the carpeting throughout the home needed to be entirely replaced due to the firetruck putting out the fire and the rainwater from the storm. They were then temporarily displaced from their rental home from April 8 to April 21, which caused additional stress and hardship.

The emotional and financial turmoil resulting from these unfortunate circumstances has taken quite a toll on the entire family, especially on my mother, who pays the vast majority of the bills and was the only individual in the home with a license and vehicle. Now, all that has changed, and my family is feeling helpless and stuck about the uncertainty of their living situation.

How the Funds Help:

With the short-term disability from my mother's FMLA through her work, my uncle's disability from social security, and any money provided by my brother's income, it is unfortunately not enough to cover the basics, especially now with the rising cost of living. This has caused immense stress, anxiety, and depression for my mother and family. The donations generated by the community will go directly to help pay portions of the rent ($1,150/month), grocery bills, utilities, and other essential expenses such as rides to and from necessary doctor appointments and dog food for their 3 dogs: Gibbs (a senior), Milo (who is blind), and Huggs (the youngest) until Dana is back on her feet and able to return to work.

Special Thanks to Our Readers and Donors:

Thank you again for taking a moment to read our GoFundMe, and special thanks to those who can donate. Any amount, big or small, and every share is greatly appreciated. Please share this story on social media or with friends and family so we, as a community, can help support Dana and family during these difficult times.

Quotes from the Family:

"Without help, we just don't know what to do. We can't afford to survive this without the finances to pay for things. I'm worried what will happen if we can't pay rent or eat." - Dana Allen

"I've been stressed out since the accident. I had no clue about her condition when I arrived on the scene of the crash. The front of the car was completely gone. It was scary, and I was angry. I'm still angry, and though I'm grateful she's alive, I'm worried about rent, groceries, the water, and light bill, and how I can work more hours or find more jobs to help out more." - Jacob Rose

"Since my momma's passing (September 2023), things have been hard, and now that my sister's hurt badly and is unable to work, I'm sad and worried." - Chad Allen