See additional updates in the update section below! Justina is FINALLY home and has a message for everyone!!

*UPDATE - March 11 from Caylie:

Yesterday we worked hard to get more walking in, little by little Justina Bueckert is making improvements! We are hopeful she will be released from the hospital today for better healing, rest and recuperation at the hotel with me to help! The hospital has been extremely loud, chaotic, ill equipped and very little assistance from nursing staff for care other than meds. We feel this is a better place to work on healing. The past couple days we have seen some mobility strides as Justina is working hard to recover and return home. With assistance to get up, we "waltzed" slowly down the hall hand in hand the past two days. Last night after sitting up in the wheelchair all day and taking a couple walks back and forth down the hall, she needed pain meds at night. Justina has to remind herself that slow and steady wins the race, but as we know, she is a strong-willed go getter! ;) As we chat in the evenings, we share so many thoughts and feelings about this experience. One of the biggest things she has learned is the Grace of God more than ever, and how many people truly love and care for her! I mean to me thats a no-brainer, but seems to be a shock to her! That girl! lol

Please say "heavy duty" prayers as my mother used to say... that she can get to the hotel with me and work on recovery, and possibly fly home Sunday God willing!!!

Pictured with us (third picture) is the angel Valerie that took it upon herself to help Justina before I arrived, feeding her, washing her and staying overnight by her side after her surgeries out of the goodness of her heart. We love her so much!!!

*UPDATE - March 9:

8 days in after Justina sustained multiple injuries on her Dominican Republic trip.... Justina had a walk to the bathroom and is now getting a much needed break from the bed! First time sitting since the accident (see second picture)!

She is still needing 1-2 people to assist to walk, sit down etc... but any small improvement is huge right now!!

She has been able to smile a few times today too! ;) It's always good for the soul for both of us when that can happen!

She will have her wounds from surgery checked out soon by the Dr., pray for healing and no infection!

As of now, we still have no idea when we will be able to return home, the Dr said when she is walking on her own.

ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION:

Justina Bueckert is a Registered Massage Therapist in Winkler, MB who was excited to go to the Dominican Republic for a vacation on March 1. As she was on her way from the airport to her resort, the transport bus turned too quickly on a wrong exit which resulted in a terrible accident. The driver was going way too fast and wide for the turn, which caused him to go over the left edge and rolled into a steep ditch. There were 19 passengers (I believe), 13 rushed to hospitals and 2 passed away.

Justina is currently in the hospital in DR with several injuries, 2 of which have resulted in major surgeries. She has broken her left arm, and had a rod put in. Her right collar bone is broken and surgery has been done on that as well as putting a plate in.

Justina has also discovered that she has fractured vertebrae in her spine as well as broken rib(s) on her left side. As of now the spinal specialist says there is no need to operate on her back, but will be in major pain for 8-12 weeks as it heals on its own.

Justina has many cuts and bruises but this is minor compared to the big picture.

Her friend Caylie arrived on March 6 to be a support person & help Justina during this time as she is not able to get around on her own. In fact, at this time she is not really able to sit, stand, walk or roll over due to pain in her back. Only with help and major pain and difficulty, she has gotten up to walk only a couple times since Sunday! Please pray that this improves quickly!

There will be a long road to recovery, but in the meantime we hope and pray she can heal enough to be released from the hospital soon, to a hotel nearby with the support from Caylie. We are also looking into a nurse to come stay on site!

On top of the injuries, Justina had her phone and credit cards go missing or were stolen from her bag (other items in the bag were still there). Justina will likely be out of work for quite some time, and is unsure what kind of help financially she will have. As an RMT, Justina is self-employed and is always taking care of others, and now is our opportunity to give back and help her out during this time. Please help pour into this sweet lady!!

Caylie will stay in Dominican Republic and do what she can to support her to heal and get home safely. They are really hoping within a week she will be ok to fly home!