Julia's Recovery Fund
Donation protected
As many of you know, Julia and I were in a motorcycle accident on August 15th of this year (2017). We were heading back to our new home from a very casual ride when a deer jumped in front of us only 1-1/2 miles from home. While only moving between 25 and 30 miles per hour, the collision and fall were enough to put us both in hospital for quite some time. Julia was air-lifted in critical condition and I was transported by ambulance.
My injuries were 'the usual' for an event like this, consisting of several broken ribs, a punctured and collapsed lung, and a lot of bruising. Having spent two and a half weeks in hospital, I'll heal...
Julia's however, were much more serious. Even through wearing protective gear (high quality full face helmet, gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and good shoes), Julia sustained abraisions to her ankle, forearm and wrist, and side, three fractured ribs, one fractured vertibrae, and also much bruising. More importantly, and more critically, she had three brain bleeds that had her in critical condition for several weeks. Upon 'waking' (which has been complicated to assess in this situation), it was apparent that the recovery process would be long and arduous, but that Julia was/is still with us!
Julia's recovery process has been one of drive and determination, one of strength and resolve. With tremendous support from family, friends, and of the caretaking staff, great strides have been taken on this road to recovery. We do have so much farther to go. This process will undoubtedly be one of countless months, rather than days or weeks of so many others similar unfortunate events.
Julia is with us. This is important to know. While she many not be able to communicate effectively, or clearly, what has been communicated has shown all that have seen her lately that Julia IS in there! The recovery process, the time moving forward, will enable connections to be re-established so that she can get back to the Julia we all know and love.
As things stand, Julia currently resides in a Skilled Nursing Facility (nursing home with therapy center) and will likely be in this facility for at least another month. This after four weeks in Intensive Care at a local Level One Trauma Hospital. From there, she'll likely advance to a full rehabilitation center to further enable the potential for recovery.
We're hoping that Julia will be able to return home before the New Year, though therapy, some nursing, and general care will still be needed. We'll be building a long ramp to ease access to our home as there are many steps to gain access. We'll have to add some 'special' equipment to make life easier through the recovery transition, but it's all worth it to get our Julia back home, back to happy, and back to who she's capable of being...the same Julia we've all grown to know and love!
I've never, and I know that Julia would second this, so we've never been ones to ask for help, let alone monetary assistance...we've always strived to take care of ourselves, and to be the caring, helping ones when others have asked or were in need. But then we've never been in a place like this.
As you may imagine, while quite thankfully insured, the expenses are extreme in a case like this, what with 24/7 care for months, all of the medications, equipment, treatments, etc. ...so far. The bills are already streaming in, and this will be the rule rather than the exception for quite some time. Add to this the add-ons to the house, future needs for supplies, medications, treatments, the list goes on.
Julia's recovery will indeed be a long road, but we'll call it a journey. Another of so many grand adventures, just one of a different tune.
Any contributions will be tremendously appreciated, and applied directly to the medical bills and care required in Julia's recovery.
We, Julia and myself, as well as our immediate and extended family, would like to thank you all for your continued support through positive thoughts, hopes, and prayers.
My injuries were 'the usual' for an event like this, consisting of several broken ribs, a punctured and collapsed lung, and a lot of bruising. Having spent two and a half weeks in hospital, I'll heal...
Julia's however, were much more serious. Even through wearing protective gear (high quality full face helmet, gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and good shoes), Julia sustained abraisions to her ankle, forearm and wrist, and side, three fractured ribs, one fractured vertibrae, and also much bruising. More importantly, and more critically, she had three brain bleeds that had her in critical condition for several weeks. Upon 'waking' (which has been complicated to assess in this situation), it was apparent that the recovery process would be long and arduous, but that Julia was/is still with us!
Julia's recovery process has been one of drive and determination, one of strength and resolve. With tremendous support from family, friends, and of the caretaking staff, great strides have been taken on this road to recovery. We do have so much farther to go. This process will undoubtedly be one of countless months, rather than days or weeks of so many others similar unfortunate events.
Julia is with us. This is important to know. While she many not be able to communicate effectively, or clearly, what has been communicated has shown all that have seen her lately that Julia IS in there! The recovery process, the time moving forward, will enable connections to be re-established so that she can get back to the Julia we all know and love.
As things stand, Julia currently resides in a Skilled Nursing Facility (nursing home with therapy center) and will likely be in this facility for at least another month. This after four weeks in Intensive Care at a local Level One Trauma Hospital. From there, she'll likely advance to a full rehabilitation center to further enable the potential for recovery.
We're hoping that Julia will be able to return home before the New Year, though therapy, some nursing, and general care will still be needed. We'll be building a long ramp to ease access to our home as there are many steps to gain access. We'll have to add some 'special' equipment to make life easier through the recovery transition, but it's all worth it to get our Julia back home, back to happy, and back to who she's capable of being...the same Julia we've all grown to know and love!
I've never, and I know that Julia would second this, so we've never been ones to ask for help, let alone monetary assistance...we've always strived to take care of ourselves, and to be the caring, helping ones when others have asked or were in need. But then we've never been in a place like this.
As you may imagine, while quite thankfully insured, the expenses are extreme in a case like this, what with 24/7 care for months, all of the medications, equipment, treatments, etc. ...so far. The bills are already streaming in, and this will be the rule rather than the exception for quite some time. Add to this the add-ons to the house, future needs for supplies, medications, treatments, the list goes on.
Julia's recovery will indeed be a long road, but we'll call it a journey. Another of so many grand adventures, just one of a different tune.
Any contributions will be tremendously appreciated, and applied directly to the medical bills and care required in Julia's recovery.
We, Julia and myself, as well as our immediate and extended family, would like to thank you all for your continued support through positive thoughts, hopes, and prayers.
Organizer
Neal Gray
Organizer
House Springs, MO
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