Kayla Gallo - Accident Trauma and Recovery

Hello, this is Terry Gearhart and I want to share some information about the serious car accident involving my niece, Kayla Gallo. On March 3rd, Kayla was involved in a severe car accident in Cedar Rapids. While driving, she suddenly lost consciousness and hit a structure head on at 40mph causing her to be pinned inside of her vehicle where the dash crushed her legs. Kayla has also battled the debilitating effects of JRA since she was 9 years old. As a result of JRA, she has had a previous left knee replacement in 2019, fusion of her wrist and had a right knee replacement recently on Valentine’s Day that she was recovering from. Kayla suffered traumatic injuries as a result of this accident that include:

•broken femur above left knee

•shattered patella on left knee

•broken femur in right hip

•shattered patella on right knee

•4 broken bones in right foot

•significant soft tissue & tendon damage in both knees with total debridement of her right knee

Kayla was transported to UIHC Trauma Center in Iowa City where she underwent three surgeries in 4 days. She has a very long and painful road of recovery ahead of her and will also be facing a hip replacement with other surgeries depending on how recovery of her injuries progress. The orthopedic injuries are severe and there is concern with long term mobility. Kayla was just released to a rehabilitation facility at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids where she is beginning extensive physical and occupational therapy several hours a day, every day of the week. Kayla has been on disability income and many expenses are not being covered by her Medicare/Medicaid. Her primary caretaker Krys will be taking time away from work, and she will also need to find a suitable replacement vehicle that is equipped for proper transport. We have set a fundraising goal to help Kayla with many expenses for medical needs and recovery that is now underway. We ask that you donate what you can and share her story with your friends too. The goal is to take the financial burden, worry away so she can focus on her physical and mental well being during her long recovery process. Thank you in advance for supporting my niece Kayla in her time of great need.