My name is Lindsey. I’m Norell’s daughter.

My mom is an incredible woman who, over the past month, has been living through an experience no one is ever prepared for.

Just days before I was scheduled to return to Indonesia, where I currently live, my mom and I were skiing together in Breckenridge.

What began as a normal day on the mountain took a terrifying turn.

She initially fell while skiing but was wearing a helmet and did not appear to hit her head directly. She got up and continued skiing. We even did two more runs. However, by the time we were getting off the lift, something was clearly wrong. She was losing coordination, fell again, bit her tongue, and her mouth filled with blood. She had also twisted her knee.

At first, we thought she was simply shaken up and in shock. We went down the mountain to rest and warm up, still not realizing the severity of what was happening. About 30 minutes later, I went to check on her and she was slumped over, barely responsive. She looked like she was having a stroke.

Within minutes, we called 911.

She was rushed by ambulance to the Breckenridge ER. During transport, she became confused and combative, trying to pull out IV lines and screaming, signs we would later learn were related to severe brain trauma and dangerous pressure building inside her skull.

A CT scan revealed a massive brain bleed.

She was immediately transferred to Denver for emergency surgery.

To save her life, surgeons had to remove nearly a quarter of her skull to allow her brain to swell safely. That portion cannot be replaced until she is stable, so for now her brain is protected only by skin as she recovers. We were told the first 24 hours would determine everything.

What followed was a rollercoaster of hope and fear.

After surgery, she briefly improved. But days later, she suffered another sudden neurological decline, including seizures and loss of speech. She was airlifted back to Denver in critical condition. At one point, doctors were preparing us for the possibility of life support and discussing worst-case scenarios as we waited by her bedside.

She has battled infection, severe brain swelling that caused pressure and shifting in her brain, and multiple serious setbacks. There were moments we truly didn’t know if she would wake up again.

Miraculously, she is now stable and continuing her recovery.

Current Update: Norell Is Home, But Recovery Is Ongoing

After four weeks of ICU stays and rehabilitation, Norell has finally been discharged and is home with family. While we are incredibly grateful she made it through the most critical phase, her recovery remains fragile.

She currently requires 24/7 supervision and care. She is very weak, uses a walker, and remains at high risk for falls. Because she does not yet have the portion of her skull replaced, even a minor fall could be extremely dangerous. Home health nurses and physical therapy are coming to the house, but much of her daily care meals, mobility assistance, monitoring, and safety is being handled by family around the clock.

Her next major surgery to replace the missing portion of her skull is expected in the coming weeks. We are hopeful, but we also know this next phase brings its own risks and recovery challenges. Until then, she cannot drive, live independently, or safely manage daily tasks on her own. Recovery will continue well beyond that surgery and will require ongoing rehabilitation and support.

How Funds Will Be Used

While insurance is covering much of the emergency medical care, there are still many unknowns particularly regarding the air ambulance (Flight for Life), upcoming surgery, rehabilitation services, and long-term recovery support. We are doing everything we can to understand what will be covered and what will not.

In addition, there are significant ongoing and out-of-pocket costs related to her recovery, including:

• In-home supervision and temporary caregiving support

• Rehabilitation and therapy needs

• Transportation and daily living assistance

• Home support services such as cleaning and meal assistance

• Pet care and mobility support

• Upcoming surgery-related expenses

• Time off work and loss of income during recovery

Because I live overseas, my boyfriend and I immediately paused our lives to return home and be by her side. We don’t yet know how long we’ll need to stay, or whether we’ll need to return again if complications arise. Our focus right now is keeping her safe during this extremely vulnerable phase and ensuring she has the support she needs to heal fully.

If you feel called to support, any donation, big or small, will go directly toward helping Norell recover safely and with dignity during this long and unpredictable healing process.

More than anything, we are grateful for the love, prayers, and encouragement that have carried us through the darkest moments of this journey. We are taking this one day at a time.

With love and deep gratitude,

Lindsey & Family