I am Peggy Brabson, and I am raising funds for my oldest and dearest friend: Diane Stone.

She needs a little help getting back on her feet after some tough blows in the last few years.

She is a wonderful person who deserves some kindness her way. If you would like to help her out, I would greatly appreciate a donation, and I know she would too.

Here is her story:

On a summer afternoon in August of 2019, I was on 880, and all of the lanes were slowing down to about 25 mph as the junction with 101 was near. The truck behind me never slowed, according to the driver of the car behind him, and rear-ended me at 65 mph.

The collision was so hard my seat back broke, and it crushed the back of the SUV I was driving. Right after the accident, my leg was sore, and I was in a state of shock. The hospital did a full-body scan. The ER doctor told me I had 4 brain bleeds, and I was being admitted to the Neuro-ICU. I didn't even hit my head! I was in the ICU for 3 to 4 nights. After the ICU, I was transferred to the brain injury floor at Valley Medical Center, where I remained for about a month, going to daily therapies, such as physical therapy, learning to walk again, speech and occupational therapy, as well as psychological support.

The psychiatrist informed me 2 days before my discharge that the brain scan had also shown that I had 2 previous small strokes in the past. He waited to tell me to be sure that I was stable enough to hear that information. The continued results of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are Aphasia, meaning loss of words, loss of timelines, memory loss, trouble retaining what I read, but mostly a deep depression.

I had been managing a Lodge right outside Yosemite for 10 years, and the owner who built the Lodge died Jan 1st, 2020, while I was recuperating. He and I ran it alone, and the family didn't know what to do, so I had to step in while mourning the loss of my friend and recuperating from the accident. His death was a hard blow that soon after the accident. Then came Covid that March.

In 2022, the family that inherited the Lodge sold it, and I lost my job.

About that time, my mother's health started failing. She eventually became immobile and incontinent. Her care was all on my shoulders. Eventually, she was diagnosed with dementia. There were also hospitalizations. My mother passed away at home in early January 2025, needing medication hourly, 24/7. It was a long and brutal process, and it is very isolating caring for a loved one for a couple of years. She was my best friend.

While taking care of my mother, I could not work, and I became delinquent in paying my credit card bills. I also had to let go of any medical extras like dentist or eye care. I tried to eliminate everything that wasn't crucial. I could barely pay my housing costs. I eventually applied for Social Security, but that is not enough to live on. I am constantly fending off creditors. I still have to pay for my portion of the cremation for my mother. I just started driving for Uber part-time 2 weeks ago.

I still suffer from depression and am mourning the loss of my mother.

I am trying to get back on my feet. I'm trying to build a life for myself.

Thank you for any help.