Jen’s Recovery costs

On Wednesday March 14th 2018 around 8:20 a.m. my mother, Jennifer MacDonald, and her grandson, Matthew, were in a car accident. The vehicle that she hit was an accident waiting to happen. She was traveling east across the Stono bridge (Maybank Highway) on Johns Island, South Carolina with the sunlight shining bright in her eyes. There was a government vehicle stopped in the right lane attending to a stalled vehicle with no visible lights, flares or indication for merging or slowing down to go around the stopped vehicles. Many community members in passing vehicles have commented about almost hitting them several minutes before my mom came through. Blinded by the sun, and with the white unmarked vehicle making no clear effort to be seen from a distance, my mother attempted to stop but still collided with the vehicle around 45 mph. Luckily, three year old Matthew was unharmed, but my mother sustained severe injuries.

At the scene of the accident it was clear that her vehicle was totalled and femur was protruding through her skin. The other two vehicles were also damaged but luckily no one else was harmed. She was taken by ambulance to the Emergency Trauma Center where it was concluded that she broke her femur, pelvis and three ribs. Her femur was broken in two places. The doctors performed an emergency surgery to reconstruct the bones in her leg. After a three hour surgery and blood transfusion she was admitted to a room where she stayed for 4 days.

I live across the country and was able to drive down and arrive on the day she was released from the hospital. I will be able to stay and help her until Friday March 23rd. However, the doctors estimate a 3 month recovery with physical therapy. She will be unable to work through the healing process.

She is self employed with no health care coverage. My mother is the legal guardian of her grandson Matthew whose father is absent. She has been working hard building her cleaning business while also trying to complete college. Being out of work for the healing process has made it difficult to meet the medical expenses.

I also want to help her save some money for a safe vehicle for when she goes back to work, as the total loss coverage from her insurance will not be much.

I have been told by neighbors and community members how they notice my mother helping others in many ways. Whether it’s stopping to feed stray cats, volunteering at Matthew’s school or donating to My Sister’s House (for abused women), ReTAIL Resale (benefiting Pet Helpers), and other various charities, she is always there to help. I am hoping that the community can reciprocate the caring and kindness that she shows to others by donating to help with medical and recovery expenses. Any amount is very appreciated and we are so thankful. Thank you to everyone who can help!

One week after the accident.

Her vehicle after the accident.

More pictures of Mom one week after the accident. She has been getting around by using her walker to go to the bathroom and short distances in the house.

After one week there is still very prominent swelling and bruising, but it is slowly getting better and her muscle mobility is improving daily.

Thank you again to anyone that can help with recovery expenses!