Hi my name is Sara Esquivel and I sustained injuries to my spinal cord and c4-5 vertebrae that required emergency surgery to keep me from being permanently paralyzed. March 25th I took a fall off my horse and literally face planted in the arena, my family and I believe it was a freak accident and my horse spooked at a crow that flew down from the rafters in front of his face . Unfortunately my husband found me unconscious and not breathing . I was stabilized enough to have air transport cancelled and go by ambulance to a hospital that had a good trauma center. I was in and out of consciousness in severe pain in both my arms and hands , a fierce burning pain like I've never had before. After ct scan , mri and X-rays the drs discovered I had multiple fractures in my nose, and my spinal cord had sustained injury with multiple discs injured irritating nerves and spinal cord. A neurosurgeon was called in and advised us surgery should be immediate I was at risk at any moment to become paralyzed from the neck down . The next few days were a blurr as I spent 3 days in icu following the surgery. Another week in the hospital, and now currently in an acute rehabilitation hospital. I'm grateful to be alive and beating the odds daily as I'm healing and can't wait until I can be back on my horse riding and doing the things I love and showing support by presenting colors at events, carrying flags to show support for first responders, and showing support for our police force at cowboy honor rides. Thank you for taking the time to hear my story and anything helps . I'd love to talk to others with similar injuries and know how their rehabilitation went for them. I have insurance but still have endless medical bills, therapy , let alone making mortgage, animals food etc. Live your life to its fullest because everything can change in a split second-THANK YOU