Road to recovery and mobility for Renee

Before you read my story I just want to say thank you for taking the time to see what my journey has been so far. I also don’t have an US account at the moment so a dear friend (Andrew) will be doing all the transactions .

Hello:) my name is Renée Johnson. Over two years ago I visited one of my favorite parishes in Jamaica (Portland). I was working double shifts as a registered nurse and just needed a relaxing day to clear my mind and rejuvenate myself for the upcoming week.

The day finally came, so did many unexpected events and change of plans from what I imagined the day to be for me. However, I made the most of what was available and tried my best not to allow disappointment to spoil another beautiful day that I was blessed with.

On my way home, the driver of the vehicle I was in started to drive carelessly and I spoke to him about it. After that I sensed that there would be an accident but I 'brushed the thought off’ as my own.

We made a stop on the road. Let's just say that was the last time I stood on both legs. When I got back into the car, we met into an accident, the car was crushed and I was pinned in and unconscious. I woke up in the hospital unable to move, looked at my body covered in bandages and blood along with a blood transfusion in progress on my right arm. I then said to myself "Oh so it wasn't a dream." I got a visit from someone who saw the accident and happened to work at the hospital and he said "I just came to check if you're still alive after what I saw."

I fractured both bones in my left arm, my pelvis, and an open fracture to my left leg. I was also losing a lot of blood and things were out of control. I was transferred the same day to another hospital in another parish.

While at the second hospital, I asked for a transfer to be closer to home as my mother is elderly. I knew it was stressing enough that her only child was going through all of that and she would have to spend a lot of money to visit me there. I was medically unstable and would be transferred as soon as it was possible. The wait felt like forever... After a couple days passed, I arrived at the third hospital which was closer to home. My past workplace where I felt like I would have been taken care of. I was in the hospital for 5 months and I didn't see my son until the third month when a nursing supervisor implored me to let him visit because we weren't sure what the prognosis would be. That felt like it broke me and also healed me all in one. I felt like if I saw him, at least if I died, I would be happy but I was trying to protect him from the trauma of seeing me in that state. I would put on the best face and brightest smile through the pain while on FaceTime with him. However, I wasn't sure how l'd handle the face to face. I also had to be transferred to a fourth hospital to have plastic surgery done in the fourth month. After which, I was transferred back and then sent home with no orthopedic intervention done to my leg.

A couple months after, I was advised to seek private consultation. I consulted with 4 orthopedic surgeons in order to get to the place where l've undergone 6 orthopedic surgeries, 2 plastic surgeries on my left leg and there's more work to be done. The limb is short, I have foot drop and my knee will need a replacement. l’ve spent millions of dollars between surgeries, medications for pain and antibiotics as l've been on them for years, diagnostic/laboratory tests and transportation among other things.

I also was an independent person who worked hard to provide for, take care of my elderly mother and son; love to volunteer whenever I could. Everything came crashing down within a couple of minutes because of speeding/reckless driving.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to implore you to adhere to speed limits and please be vigilant on the roads. I have tried a few businesses but they didn't flourish, I also did a fundraiser to help with a previous surgery. Accessibility is an issue in my country and I didn't realize how bad it was until I ended up in this situation. I am unable to walk without my crutches and I have an ilizarov frame on my left leg.

Thank you for taking the time out to read my story. I'm truly grateful for whatever your heart leads you to contributing to my recovery journey. Keep me in your prayers, God bless you! I hope I'll get to take care of you someday :)