Help Emily Heal After a Life-Changing Brain Injury

Our daughter Emily, a UC Santa Cruz track star and aspiring triathlete, was left with a devastating brain injury after a bicycle accident. After eight months in the hospital, she’s finally home — but her long road to recovery is just beginning.

Hello, we are Tina and Paul, proud parents of our sweet daughter, Emily — a 19-year-old pole vaulter and track star at UC Santa Cruz.

In October 2024, her life — and ours — changed forever.

Emily was riding her bicycle downhill to her college track and field weight training practice, with her teammate just behind her. A pedestrian, looking down at their phone, stepped directly into her path. Emily swerved to avoid them and struck the mirror of a parked minibus at a stop sign. She was wearing her helmet, but the impact left her with a devastating brain injury.

Since that day, Emily has spent eight months in the hospital — where she turned 20 — enduring multiple surgeries and grueling rehabilitation. Just recently, she was finally able to come home. While we are grateful beyond words to have her with us again, her recovery journey is far from over. She still requires 24/7 care and constant monitoring.

As her parents, we are committed to giving Emily the best possible chance at healing. But the financial strain is overwhelming. We are asking for help with:

• Overnight nursing support, so we can rest and stay strong for her

• A specialized rehabilitation bicycle and other therapy equipment

• Ongoing out-of-pocket medical and therapy costs not covered by insurance

Every donation — no matter the size — will go directly toward Emily’s care and recovery. If you can’t give financially, please consider sharing Emily’s story and keeping her in your thoughts and prayers.

Emily has always dreamed of becoming a triathlete like us. She is strong, determined, and full of life — the kind of person who never gives up. Our greatest wish is to see her realize that dream and stand proudly at the starting line of a Triathlon race.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of Emily’s village. Your kindness, generosity, and love mean more to us than we can ever express.

With love and gratitude,

Tina & Paul