(This is a true story about my stepdaughter that I have written on behalf of our family)

It is April 2nd, 2022. No one in the family has seen or heard from Maci in some time. The phone rings, and Maci's mother (Kami) answers it. It is UCSD hospital in San Diego. They are calling regarding Maci.

She is in the hospital's ICU. Kami's heart drops as she listens intently. The person on the phone states that Maci has just come out of a 10-day coma. Maci has fallen from a 3-story building and suffered extensive damage.

The family is quickly notified of the situation, and they set out to see Maci in the hospital. Everyone is terrified at what will come next, but they are grateful she is ALIVE! When they finally get in to see her, they quickly realize the gravity of the situation. Maci is awake but is swollen, bruised, and wrapped up in bandages. A tube has been placed in her throat so she can be fed. She cannot speak, walk, or use the restroom independently, but she is HERE! Maci's mom, dad and oldest brother tried to comfort each other at this moment, crying and scared for Maci's future. When she fell from the 3rd story balcony, she only broke a few toes; however, her head suffered the most significant blow, and she now has swelling on her brain. Fortunately, Maci has been placed on a medication by the hospital that helps relieve the swelling.

Since the day she woke up, she has been progressing very well. She is, as of today, speaking, walking, feeding herself, and using the restroom with little to no assistance. IT IS TRULY A MIRACLE!!! Maci does not remember much of what happened to her that day or much before that time. Every day, she regains more of her memory, but how much brain function she will recover for many years will be unknown. Maci has suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and this condition has caused symptoms that need to be carefully monitored as she continues to recover. This event has also created more medical issues that will need to be addressed very soon.

Maci will quickly need to find a place to live where she will receive the medical assistance she needs. She will require Long-Term Care, therapy, and medication (to name a few). Unfortunately, Maci only has state-issued insurance (Medi-Cal). The family has submitted paperwork for possible help via SSI-Disability (and other options). Due to Maci being so young, at the age of 28, she has not had much work history and may not be eligible for assistance. Maci's family are all hard-working people trying to make ends meet each month, like most people these days. This is truly an unexpected event that no one thought would happen. Maci's Medi-Cal insurance does not pay into Long-Term Care. The hospital has graciously offered to help the family by providing the first 2 months of rent in a board and care home.

After 2 months, the family will be responsible for paying the rent. This home she will hopefully be placed in will only provide 3 meals a day and shelter with supervision by one house manager. Basic care (hygiene products, brain games, educational support, OTC medication, etc.) is to be provided by the family. Most of her housemates (9 other people) are elderly and need a safe place to reside AND be monitored. We are grateful for the blessing and help we have received so far from the hospital, but this will surely not carry her for long. We are asking for your help to supply Maci with the tools and supplies she will need to recover, as we are currently scrambling to figure out how to do this ourselves. Please, if you can donate any amount, it would be appreciated greatly! The funds will be used strictly for Maci's immediate and Long-Term Care, for example, her hospital bills (unknown at this time), her medical needs, and her lifelong future care. THIS IS FOR MACI AND HER NEW BEGINNING as she relearns life!

Thank you all for reading to the end and for your support. With love from her family!

**If you are unable to donate, please share this post on every platform available to spread awareness for Maci's New Beginning**