Hi everyone! My name is Sandra Harrison and I'm writing on behalf of my family. Our mother, Maria "Lucy" Harrison was recently involved in an tragic accident while she was gardening in front of her home on Sunday morning just two days after she celebrated her 72nd birthday. During her accident, she fell on the pavement which caused a severe spinal cord injury prompting emergency spinal cord surgery on her c3- c6 vertebrae. When Lucy came out of surgery she had little to no feeling in her hands and feet. Her prognosis is unclear but she is surrounded by an incredible medical staff at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

Our mom and Nookimis (Ojibwe word for Grandmother) is a pillar in her urban Detroit community. She dedicates her time between her grandchildren and working at an urban farm teaching the community how to garden and grow produce. Throughout our childhood, Lucy was the administrative director at the non-profit Indian Health Services of Detroit, Michigan as she dedicated her career and life to providing medical, mental and dental health services to Urban Indians. Her mission has always been to teach and carry out the Native culture to the younger generations and to never forget the spirit, strength and history of our elders who came before us. Even through this traumatic accident, Lucy's spirit and will is strong! She would want us to remember and carry forward the strength of our ancestors to promote healing and uplift her spirits through prayer and community.

As this time, we are asking for support and assistance to help Lucy with unanticipated medical expenses and handicap equipment that her home will require to ensure she has a smooth transition when she leaves the rehabilitation facility. Lucy's home will need immediate modifications to support her limited mobility including a wheelchair lift and a wheelchair accessible entrance door. Any and every dollar donated to Lucy's fund will go to support the unanticipated medical expenses, handicap equipment and handicap accessible home renovations/modifications required.

With deep gratitude, the Harrison family thanks you for your support, prayers and call to action. Miigwetch - (Ojibwe word for "thank you")