On July 26, 2015 in Rialto, CA, 28 year old Jenneffer Balaguer was on her way to pick up snacks for a cookout when her vehicle was struck head on by a drunk driver who had veered into the wrong lane. It took almost an hour for the fire department to cut through the mangled metal of the wreckage but luckily her three year old son strapped into the car seat in the back of the car was unharmed. Jenneffer and her teenage brother Alex, who was in the front passenger side, both sustained serious injuries and were admitted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Luckily, Alex was able to go home after a few weeks but due to the extent of her injuries, Jenneffer has had a much longer and slower path to recovery. The impact of the head on collision caused internal bleeding from lacerations of her spleen and liver, the former which was removed during surgery in an effort to stop the bleeding, along with several blood transfusions. Unable to breathe on her own, Jenneffer was given a tracheostomy and hooked up to a ventilator. Also, she sustained multiple fractures of her facial bones, cervical fractures, and fractures of both legs, her right hip, and her right arm. Her right eye globe was ruptured and the doctors were unable to save it. Because of the damage to her facial bones, her teeth began to loosen and fall out, leaving her with only a few teeth in her top jaw. The extensive facial reconstruction surgeries left her with scars running from her eyebrow, down her nose, through her lips and cheek, all the way to her chin. The broken right arm was rendered almost useless and her broken hip and legs left her immobile. Complications such as blood clots in her lungs worsened her prognosis and extended her stay in the ICU. Unable to care for her three children while in the hospital (3 year old Erik, 5 year old Tatiana, and 7 year old Taylor), they went to live with their father in Indiana until she was able to care for them again.
Throughout this ordeal, Jenneffer has maintained a positive outlook, wonderful sense of humor and drive to accomplish what the doctors said would be impossible: the ability to walk again within a year. After weeks in a rehabilitation center and daily arduous sessions with physical and occupational therapists, she has made great leaps and bounds towards recovery. Almost 6 months after her accident, Jenneffer can now walk a few steps and has regained partial function of her right hand. Our hope is that within a year she will be able to regain all of the function she had before the accident. However, the daily reminders of this tragic event are visible every time she looks in the mirror. Although the doctors attempted to piece her face back together, she still needs more reconstructive surgery to correct some deformities and reduce the appearance of her scars. She also needs a prosthetic eye and dental surgery to implant new teeth (Ironically, Jenneffer was studying to become a dental assistant before the accident derailed her plans). This is where you come in... Please consider helping support Jenneffer throughout this difficult time. Not only can she not afford these surgeries, but due to her loss of income, she is in a tenuous position regarding keeping a roof over her head and her children with her. Also, the drunk driver who caused all her pain and suffering has skipped town, leaving her with no recourse to demand compensation for her medical bills. Any little bit would help, if we can all come together we could help this wonderful woman get her life back to normal. Thank you!


The images above are Jenneffer and her children before the accident. The photos below are of the wreckage and from Jenneffer's hospital stay











The photos below are of Jenneffer today