JoAnn O'Brien's Medical Fund
Donation protected
Dearest Family & Friends,
We wish we were reaching out to you for a joyous occasion, but unfortunately we are not. On Friday, March 6th JoAnn O'Brien was on a weekend getaway with her partner Jim, in Prescott, Arizona. They were taking an evening stroll around town, and on their way back to the hotel as they were crossing the street at a crosswalk, she was struck by a 1998 Ford Explorer. Jim was able to jump out of the way to avoid being hit, but unfortunately JoAnn could not. She was struck, hit the hood of the vehicle and flew into the air where she eventually landed on her side. There were two good samaritans on mountain bikes who reacted quickly and helped secure the accident site and get help. When the police arrived the lady who struck JoAnn admitted she was on her cell phone talking with her son and never saw the couple walking across the crosswalk. As a result of this accident JoAnn has catastrophic fractures of the leg, ankle, and foot. The left leg has a Tibia Fracture through the plateau, and the right leg has a fractured foot and a severely shattered ankle. She has already had multiple surgeries and has many more surgeries to come, as soon as we can get her back to her home State of California. The left leg tibia fracture has been repaired by placing a plate and bone graft. The Orthopedic Surgeon has in fact indicated that she will at some point soon need a total knee replacement, but some further healing needs to occur before this can happen. The right leg is in bad shape! She has an external fixator holding her shattered ankle together since they are unable to do surgery until the swelling goes down but more importantly get her home to California to initiate care. Her daughters Mary and Lisa have been by her side since the accident. I’m sure they have been driving the nursing staff crazy, but getting their mother the best care is of the utmost importance right now! The sisters have had to deal with many trails especially with JoAnn’s insurance in regards to having her transported back home. She must be transported via ambulance or air-lifted and are having difficulties doing so. She does not live in Arizona, she lives in California, and everyone needs and wants to come home!
Those of you who know JoAnn know how incredibly active and fun loving she is. She works full time and loves to stay busy. This is all very difficult for her since she is now faced with an injury that has bedridden her for an undetermined amount of time, and faces many surgeries, not to mention physical therapy and rehabilitation. Unfortunately many of the services she needs and will need are out of plan and not covered by her insurance. She needs to be placed in a Skilled Nursing Facility until she heals enough to be able to move about unassisted from wheelchair to bed. The ultimate goal is to get her well enough to go home, where her family can help with her care, and be once again self sufficient.
On a positive note things could have been much worse. She did not suffer head or internal injuries, and its a miracle she is still with us. The O’Brien, Dempsey and McMahon Families would like to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes. We hope you will continue to pray for JoAnn and also ask that you consider helping with donations to help with her medical expenses and loss of income in this very difficult time. Any amount helps. Spread the word! At some point one or all of these families have been their for us and it’s our turn to repay the favor!!! JoAnn is a fighter! A strong and wonderful woman!! With her family and friends by her side everything is possible and a full recovery is in site!
Thank you again for all of your love and support!
God Bless, Friends and Family of the O’Brien, Dempsey & McMahon Families
We wish we were reaching out to you for a joyous occasion, but unfortunately we are not. On Friday, March 6th JoAnn O'Brien was on a weekend getaway with her partner Jim, in Prescott, Arizona. They were taking an evening stroll around town, and on their way back to the hotel as they were crossing the street at a crosswalk, she was struck by a 1998 Ford Explorer. Jim was able to jump out of the way to avoid being hit, but unfortunately JoAnn could not. She was struck, hit the hood of the vehicle and flew into the air where she eventually landed on her side. There were two good samaritans on mountain bikes who reacted quickly and helped secure the accident site and get help. When the police arrived the lady who struck JoAnn admitted she was on her cell phone talking with her son and never saw the couple walking across the crosswalk. As a result of this accident JoAnn has catastrophic fractures of the leg, ankle, and foot. The left leg has a Tibia Fracture through the plateau, and the right leg has a fractured foot and a severely shattered ankle. She has already had multiple surgeries and has many more surgeries to come, as soon as we can get her back to her home State of California. The left leg tibia fracture has been repaired by placing a plate and bone graft. The Orthopedic Surgeon has in fact indicated that she will at some point soon need a total knee replacement, but some further healing needs to occur before this can happen. The right leg is in bad shape! She has an external fixator holding her shattered ankle together since they are unable to do surgery until the swelling goes down but more importantly get her home to California to initiate care. Her daughters Mary and Lisa have been by her side since the accident. I’m sure they have been driving the nursing staff crazy, but getting their mother the best care is of the utmost importance right now! The sisters have had to deal with many trails especially with JoAnn’s insurance in regards to having her transported back home. She must be transported via ambulance or air-lifted and are having difficulties doing so. She does not live in Arizona, she lives in California, and everyone needs and wants to come home!
Those of you who know JoAnn know how incredibly active and fun loving she is. She works full time and loves to stay busy. This is all very difficult for her since she is now faced with an injury that has bedridden her for an undetermined amount of time, and faces many surgeries, not to mention physical therapy and rehabilitation. Unfortunately many of the services she needs and will need are out of plan and not covered by her insurance. She needs to be placed in a Skilled Nursing Facility until she heals enough to be able to move about unassisted from wheelchair to bed. The ultimate goal is to get her well enough to go home, where her family can help with her care, and be once again self sufficient.
On a positive note things could have been much worse. She did not suffer head or internal injuries, and its a miracle she is still with us. The O’Brien, Dempsey and McMahon Families would like to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes. We hope you will continue to pray for JoAnn and also ask that you consider helping with donations to help with her medical expenses and loss of income in this very difficult time. Any amount helps. Spread the word! At some point one or all of these families have been their for us and it’s our turn to repay the favor!!! JoAnn is a fighter! A strong and wonderful woman!! With her family and friends by her side everything is possible and a full recovery is in site!
Thank you again for all of your love and support!
God Bless, Friends and Family of the O’Brien, Dempsey & McMahon Families
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa O'Brien McMahon
Organizer
Riverside, CA
Mary Dempsey
Beneficiary
