She's Coming Home #Gaonastrong Foundation

On July 26th 2019, the lives of Cristina Gaona and her family were forever changed. Cristina was on a trip to California with several of her friends celebrating their recent high school graduation. Cristina knew this would be her last ho-rah before she headed off to college. All her yrs. of hard work, determination and sacrifices had paid off and she was heading to college on a soccer scholarship. Just before midnight, Cristina and 4 of her friends headed to the store. While crossing an intersection, the car Cristina was riding in was hit and sent them into a utility pole. Emergency crews stated that the fact they were all wearing seat belts is the only reason there were any survivors.
   Officials from the Anaheim Police department stated that the driver that hit them, Leobardo Robledo, was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Just minutes before running a red light and hitting the 5 teenagers, Robledo had an altercation with a bouncer at a local bar and was believed to be fleeing before police arrived. He was also the lead suspect in a hit and run just a few blocks a way. It is believed that these 2 incidents were why Robeldo was traveling at such a dangerously high rate of speed when he crashed into the car Cristina was traveling in.
   Although several of the teenagers were tragically injured, Cristina's injuries were the most severe. When Cristina was first life flighted from the accident, Doctors said her chances of survival were slim to none. Against all odds, Cristina has proven them wrong. She has endured many surgeries to stop her brain from bleeding, reduce brain swelling, repair broken bones, fix her ruptured kidneys, remove her tracheotomy and install a manufactured bone plate into her skull. Cristina fights through constant pain as doctors and therapists push her to new limits 24 hrs a day 7 days a week.
   With mixed emotions, the family announces that after 7 long months, Cristina is about to come home. Although they are thrilled beyond words to have Cristina home, this new chapter in their lives posses a whole new set of challenges and realities. The reality is that Cristina has progressed as far as she can while at the inpatient rehab facility and will now be released. This means that her parents and siblings will now be responsible for her 24 hr. a day care. Their daughter who was once an active vibrant athlete is now confined to a wheelchair unable to walk, talk or eat. In order to take Cristina to doctor or physical therapy appointments, they are in need of a wheelchair accessible van. Cristina is unable to hold her own head up and it would be life threatening to transport her without her being secured in her wheelchair. They will also have to move into a home that is wheelchair accessible and where they are allowed to make all the handicap changes necessary to properly take care of Cristina. Knowing Cristina, one never wants to put labels or limits on what this young fighter is able to accomplish so we can only share what the doctors estimate the rest of her life will look like. Cristina will not be able to walk, her language will be very limited if any, she will have a feeding tube, and will need someone to take care of all her daily care to include toileting and bathing. Cristina will be confined to a wheelchair and be totally dependent on her family to take care of her. It is at this point in her recovery where Cristina needs your help.
   Although Leobardo is in jail for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and causing bodily injury or death, he was driving while uninsured. Along with being uninsured, Leobardo does not have any assets that can be used to help with any of Cristina's financial needs. This leaves the Gaonas with having to pay for everything on their own. With Cristina needing 24 hr. a day care at home, it will be impossible for both of her parents to keep working. The Gaonas are an extremely hard working family that continually bless the lives of the youth in the Southern Utah community. Jose Gaona, Cristina's father, established the Rage FC Soccer club in Southern Utah over 7 yrs ago. Despite all the trials and hardships Jose's family has gone through the past year, he has still continued to coach and provide incredible opportunities for hundreds of our area youth. With the help of her Neuro therapists, Jose was recently able to bring Cristina to the soccer tournament he had organized for over 300 teams. What a thrill it was for everyone as Cristina was finally able to leave the hospital for a few hrs. As you can imagine, asking for help does not come easy for the Gaonas. It is due to their devotion and unconditional love for their daughter, Cristina, that they are reaching out to you asking for help so they may bring their daughter home. Cristina will be released in the next several weeks and there has to be a van to transport her. Please help us in raising the necessary funds to purchase a wheelchair assessable van by either donating to the #gaonastrong foundation go-fund me, sharing the link or both. The Gaonas are forever grateful for your continuous thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement and generous donations.