- J
Mai Nguyen is a 1st year/upcoming 2nd year doctoral graduate student in the UAB School of Optometry Vision Science Graduate Program. On Friday, May 1st, Mai went out for a run after completing her final exams for the Spring semester. Upon crossing the street in Five Points, she was hit by a vehicle. Mai has sustained some significant injuries that has required multiple surgeries. After she was transported to UAB Hospital, she underwent surgery on one of her knees and had screws placed in her hip. Mai also broke her collarbone which may require surgery to repair. She also has a small brain bleed, which is improving, and a fracture in her eye socket. Good news is Mai is out of the ICU and is expected to make a full recovery, but she does have a long road of recovery ahead of her along with medical expenses. Her recovery time is expected to be 6-8 weeks. During this time, Mai will be displaced from her Birmingham home due to accessibility issues.
While there is never a "good" time for things like this happen, our current COVID-19 pandemic reality has exacerbated Mai's situation. Her family resides in California and is unable to be with her at the moment. While she has a great support system in place, nobody can replace family.
Mai does have health insurance but her medical expenses will accrue with deductibles, co-pays, out-of-pocket maximums, etc. The Vision Science Graduate Program kindly requests a small donation to help with those expenses. In addition to the medical expenses, we would also like to provide some additional funding for future travel expenses for Mai's parents. It is definitely stressful being away from your child during an emergency, and we would like to lessen the stress to the parents of Mai by providing them a piece of mind or a lessened burden of travel expenses.
It is unclear at the moment when Mai will be discharged from the hospital. We are starting this campaign now in hopes to provide her a solid start on her road to recovery by, hopefully, eliminating financial stress.
Any donation, large or small, will be greatly appreciated!!!
You may also send her well wishes at [email redacted].
We will update this page as more information becomes available.
With sincere gratitude,
The UAB School of Optometry Vision Science Graduate Program
While there is never a "good" time for things like this happen, our current COVID-19 pandemic reality has exacerbated Mai's situation. Her family resides in California and is unable to be with her at the moment. While she has a great support system in place, nobody can replace family.
Mai does have health insurance but her medical expenses will accrue with deductibles, co-pays, out-of-pocket maximums, etc. The Vision Science Graduate Program kindly requests a small donation to help with those expenses. In addition to the medical expenses, we would also like to provide some additional funding for future travel expenses for Mai's parents. It is definitely stressful being away from your child during an emergency, and we would like to lessen the stress to the parents of Mai by providing them a piece of mind or a lessened burden of travel expenses.
It is unclear at the moment when Mai will be discharged from the hospital. We are starting this campaign now in hopes to provide her a solid start on her road to recovery by, hopefully, eliminating financial stress.
Any donation, large or small, will be greatly appreciated!!!
You may also send her well wishes at [email redacted].
We will update this page as more information becomes available.
With sincere gratitude,
The UAB School of Optometry Vision Science Graduate Program