Help Jackie Recover with Physical Therapy

Hello everyone, this is Marcia and a lifelong friend of Jackie Pfaender. Our goal is to raise 8 weeks of needed care and life-giving physical therapy which cost $1,250 per week.

If you know Jackie you are probably surprised by this. But in 2004 she was on the way to work at Rockville Printing when she was hit head-on by an elderly driver. The impact of the accident caused her to break both ankles, an arm, and a punctured kidney which was partially removed and she spent more than a year in the hospital followed by rehabilitation.

When I visited her in the ICU in 2004 she answered all of my questions about the tubes and rods throughout her body. It was an experience that was painful to see, yet all she cared about was how I was doing. Seeing her was almost too much to take. After the healing, she was faced with medical bills which far exceeded her care and she was left owing tens of thousands of dollars but had already chosen not to take the elderly driver's home. She said "I can't take this ladies home and leave her in the street." She truly cared about his elderly wife living on the street. I think she thought her medical expenses were over and didn't realize what could happen down the road as many of us do. She got zero compensation for pain, suffering, and economic loss. The person who crossed lanes and hit her head on she forgave. Like most of us, you don't realize how one tragedy can affect your life in the future. Jackie certainly didn't expect or deserve this.

Over the last 19 years, she built her life back up and had to deal with overwhelming financial consequences. Her health has had a significant impact as well and brings us to where she is today.

Jackie has recently suffered 2 strokes and has been in and out of the hospital for the last 2 years. She can not walk. Her in-hospital benefits are exhausted. Jackie was keeping this to herself, downplaying her injuries and pain as she has for 19 years. What is worse is that her injuries have caused a landslide of complications, and because of the strokes this winter, she is now in need of extensive PT to get her back to work and save her home, and more importantly, she feels, it will save her own life.

Jackie silently does for others while uncomplaining going about her struggles. Jackie is a prideful person and does not like to accept help. It is not in her nature. SHE HELPS OTHERS. I am sure I could list hundreds of people that she helped or took the time to listen to but Jackie doesn't tout her good deeds. She is the kind of person who does for others and never asks for a return in kind.

"I visited her recently in the nursing facility. The pictures speak for themselves. She is showing promise. I am Jackie's voice and am proud to ask for a little help for someone who has done so much for others. I know many of us are struggling with the economy and putting food on the table however, the smallest amounts will add up and make a difference. Has she helped you?

Can you help her? " — Marcia Helms

"Anyone who has spent 5 minutes with Jackie has realized her kindness and genuine caring nature and would also realize this is a cause worth helping in any way that you are able. Please donate whatever you can to help Jackie save her life." — Fred Helms