Justice for Elian

My son's life was pretty much the one of an everyday normal kid until the accident on April 24th of last year. He was outside on his bike playing with friends. It was the first hot day of spring and they were outdoors enjoying their day after school. He was on his bike. Getting ready to cross the street. when he sees a Ford explorer (a truck) approaching. He began to peddle his bike as he placed his hand up to let the person know he was about to cross the street. Except the woman driving the Explorer did not stop driving. She hit him while mounted on his bike and kept driving for 30 feet with my child under her vehicle. He lost half of his knee compartment, blood, skin tissue, growth ligament, muscle and bone. Elian spent about 5 months in the hospital while receiving treatment multiple surgeries for both left leg and right hand, blood transfusions and skin graft. The doctors had discussed a possible amputation if he were to get an infection. Months of torture and possibly imagining my perfectly healthy boy transitioning from normal functioning legs to wearing a prosthetic. For weeks we discussed procedures one of them being a rotationplasty which is a form of amputation. I was devastated. After a long 2-month wait, he received a bone allograft from a deceased person matching my son’s measurements. Thank God it was a good fit! Currently his knee has screws that hold everything in place so that he is able to walk. He may suffer from arthritis earlier in life, leg lengthening surgeries due to growth issues since he lost so much bone tissue and even one of his growth ligaments. Unfortunately, the woman got away with little to no consequences while my family is left with the financial burden and responsibility of doctors’ appointments, future surgeries etc. His right arm needs reconstructive surgery due to road rash and traumatic scarring. It is difficult for him to extend it fully and also to write with at times. The woman responsible for the accident was not under the influence and was compliant according to the police report. Yet no one investigated if the woman was on her phone at the time of the collision. When asked at traffic court, she stated the sun was in her eyes and she did not see him; yet she dragged the child out 30 feet under her vehicle while still mounted on his bike. I found my son under her wheel and it took 5 men to lift the truck and remove my baby from underneath. Only 9 years old, 2 months shy of his 10 birthday and weighed approximately 54lbs at the time. I no longer qualify for Medicaid and my insurance is private through my employer. Certain procedures aren't fully covered and unfortunately the settlement from the lawsuit may take years before it is finally settled. I need the funds to help pay for his reconstructive surgeries on both arm and leg and pay for the deductible at doctors’ visits with the orthopedic surgeon that are a little over $475 each visit along with the ambulance fee that the insurance refused to cover costing over $4,000. Not to mention Elian uses silicon sheets for his scars which can cost between $75-$80 each little pack. It all adds up. Any little help is greatly appreciated. God bless you guys and I thank all of my prayer soldiers we wouldn't have made it without you all. Much Love, Cindy Gonzalez