Hello everyone - Karmen & Ashley here!

 

We weren't initially going to consider this option, but with every new     update this situation is getting harder and harder, and we are realizing if we don't accept help - Karmens recovery has a bleak chance of going smoothly. This hurts our pride, and makes us feel a little pathetic, but   we've been encouraged by many many loved ones to consider GoFundMe. We understand and acknowledge that there are a lot of people going through way worse situations, and don't believe we are any more deserving than anyone else, but people have been asking for a way to support us in this very very complicated time and we want to give those people that option. If you are unable to donate, there are so many other ways to aid us in this very troubling time.

 

This is long-winded, but worth the read if you want to understand why this situation is so so complicated.

 

As a lot of you know, we had only re-located to a new city for a new life 10 days prior to the accident. Moving to this new city and getting our new life started was something we had been counting down the days too. Our goals for this relocation included getting back on our feet financially, getting support for Ashley's 2 year long mental health battle, and spend every minute of our free-time doing our favourite thing - snowboarding.

We knew part of the cost of the re-location was dealing with some isolation but financial stability, happiness, and health were our only goals - we were desperate. Very desperate.

We depleted our finances, purged all of our belongings, said goodbye to our friends/families/jobs and put all of our resources into this move, hoping it would eventually benefit us.

 

The accident - What happened?

It's honestly a little silly/embarrassing - September 9th we went out for a casual evening longboard. Only a few driveways down the road, Karmen stopped to say something. When she stepped off the board it rolled over her ankles and she fell. It looked like the smallest fall ever, but when the blood curdling screams came out of her, I knew something was very very wrong. I looked at Karmen in the middle of the road, her face was pale and her right foot was hanging off of her leg like it wasn't even attached and we could see her bones pushing through her skin. Immediately I called an ambulance.  After 30 minutes of screaming, warding off countless concerned citizens, and even having an encounter with a black bear (yes, a fucking black bear) the ambulance arrived.

We were transported to New Comox Hospital where Karmen immediately was rushed into x-rays and CT-scans. With no concern about the left ankle, they determined the right was shattered. After her x-ray, the nurse lifted the blanket to show Karmen her ankle and we noticed the left ankle was completely out of position and alarmingly swollen. So they rushed her off for another x-ray. Turns out, the left was also shattered.

(Pictured is the initial x-ray on Karmen right ankle)

 

SO.. what did this mean for Karmen? Well... She would need surgery on both ankles, further more, we were informed that Karmen would be wheelchair bound for at least 2 months (if everything went as planned), as she is unable to bare ANY weight on either ankle if she wants a chance at a decent recovery.

September 10th, we were informed that Karmen would need to be re-located to an out-of-city hospital for her surgeries, but due to an ambulance shortage, they couldn't guarantee transportation for her and that if private transportation wasn't arranged, she might lose her shot at getting her surgeries ASAP. We were so so stressed. I (Ashley) transported Karmen to the new hospital in our own vehicle. I watched her cringe and wince over every single bump and turn. She was in so much pain, and the drive felt like a lifetime.

When we arrived at Emerg further up island we waited about 7 hours for Karmen to go into the OR. In this time, Ashley drove back down island and tried to collect some essentials for Karmen, and then immediately made her way back up. 5 hours in the OR later, Karmen was set up in a room where we were given little to no information about her surgeries, how they went, and what her recovery would look like. We didn't sleep that night. We didn't know what was happening.  She also had these metal rods/poles sticking out of her right leg (one in her heel, the other just below her knee).

The next morning, we overheard a nurse mention to another doctor that Karmens right ankle was too dangerous to operate on, and that she'd likely have to wait about a week before they could attempt to go in.

September 11th, we were informed about what would be necessary for Karmens recovery. Wheelchairs, ramps, lifts, we would need to install railings around our toilet, bath risers/equipment, and 24/7 assistance. 

This is when we reeeeeally started to panic, as our brand new home had many flights of stairs and little space to navigate around in a wheelchair. Not to mention, we felt VERY alone and isolated in this city. We had JUST left behind all of our friends, family, support and resources. It quickly became apparent to us that we'd need to move back to Victoria, in order for Karmen to get the support/care she needed and also so Ashley could focus on being the sole income and home support that Karmen would require. Karmen is unable to do anything for herself if it isn't within her immediate reach. She needs complete assistance going to the washroom, bathing, eating, re-positioning her bed-ridden body and much much more.

What are our biggest concerns?

Housing

The biggest of them all, is securing a wheelchair/cat friendly home in Victoria, with zero available finances, breaking our current lease and moving all of our belongings back to Victoria within 9 days (all of this with Ashley being the only one who can make any of this happen). This is the most crucial element, as Karmens only focus MUST be healing/recovery. 

Finances - yeah... this is the part that reeeeeally hurts out pride.

We exhausted every resource to make this move happen. With this accident happening within the first 10 days of us being here, we both only have a couple days of work under our belt, and no paychecks to show for it. We wish money wasn't a part of getting Karmen in a situation where we can recover with SOME comfort, but truthfully, housing in Victoria, relocating back and preparing ourselves for the next couple months is costly as as hell. Ashley is doing her best to work, be there for Karmen, and take care of Ezio alone (all three situations in three different cities). She's removed money from her retirement savings to afford the gas required to make all of this happen, and feels COMPLETELY alone in doing so. Of course, karmen wishes she could help, but is entirely unable to do so. 

 

Additionally, Karmen's E.I. is sad, insulting and we wont be receiving it for quite some time.

We are working with social workers to see what kind of support we can look to the government for, but it's complicated and tough to navigate. 

 

Support for Karmen

As much as I (Ashley) wish I could be there for Karmen 24/7, I have to be available to do everything else that is required for both of us. Leaving Karmens side is complicated, as she is vulnerable and embarrassed. With the level of assistance required for completing VERY personal tasks, it's tough having strangers around. Karmen is already suffering from major depression and spends most of her time fighting off the pain despite high doses of pain medication. I can only imagine how taxing this situation must be on Karmens body, mental health and pride. 

 

With Karmens major surgery around the corner, we are unsure of how smooth things may go from here. A lot is still up in the air and we know that further complications are very possible, as we've been running into them every step of the way so far.

 

We are sorry for how long this is, and hopefully you survived reading it. But for others to understand our stress, we wanted to clearly outline our situation. 

 

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Ashley is willing to offer videography and social media services in exchange for support of any variety. Feeling like we can offer something in exchange for the kindness of others will help us feel slightly less pathetic. 

 

We love you.

We thank you.

We got this.

 

- Ashley & Karmen