On July 17th around 4:20pm, I was making a left turn onto Shadow Wood Road with my 18-month-old daughter Ember when we were hit from behind by a large black truck speeding down Highway 69 headed towards Lufkin. The impact was devastating. Ember was airlifted in critical condition to a hospital in Shreveport, where she faces life-threatening and life-altering injuries. My baby girl has brain bleeds and swelling, and doctors placed a bolt in her head to monitor and regulate the swelling. While the swelling has gone down, she will soon undergo tests to check for any brain damage from this major head injury. Ember also has bruising on her liver and lungs, and her right eye is swollen completely shut. She has been sedated and is under strict 24-hour monitoring.

I was driving and suffered many injuries myself, including ten broken ribs—some broken in multiple places, leaving fragments that could cause further complications. My clavicle is completely broken, and I am in extreme pain and heavily medicated. Both Ember and I will have to undergo physical therapy, and I will be unable to work for at least a few months as we recover. We don’t know when we’ll be healed or safe to go home, but we are trying to be patient. As a single mom, I am facing mounting living expenses, unexpected medical and prescription costs, the loss of my vehicle, and even the need for a new car seat to bring Ember home when the time comes. I am overwhelmed physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Anything helps, and I appreciate any support or kindness given. Your generosity will help us cover medical bills, living expenses, physical therapy, and essentials as we recover from this traumatic event. Thank you for being here for us.