Stand by Latonya: Overcome Hardship Together

No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he'd only had good intentions–he had money as well. ~ Margaret Thatcher

______________________________________________________________________

If you're reading this, there is a good chance that you know Latonya Taylor.

Latonya has thrown the Commercial Appeal in Central Gardens every single early morning for years. You may have seen her at a baseball, basketball, or football game cheering on her son, Michael, a rising sixth grader at Grace-St. Luke's School. Or, maybe you sat next to her on Sunday at Grace-St. Luke's Church.

On April 21, 2025, though, Latonya Taylor's life was unexpectedly turned upside down.

Latonya was in a car accident and severely injured. Emergency crews used the "Jaws of Life" to extract her from the car, and took her to the Med for emergency spinal surgery. https://wreg.com/news/local/one-severely-injured-in-midtown-crash/

At the time of the accident, Latonya was working full time as a contract employee at the Commercial Appeal. Unrelated to the accident, the paper abruptly ended the project that Latonya had been working on.

After a successful surgery, Latonya woke up in the hospital, in a back brace, unemployed, without insurance or long-term disability, and without a car.

In the aftermath, friends and family leapt into action, providing meals, visits, and care for Michael. Latonya is home and recovering, but it is going to be a long road. Latonya is such a force of nature, though, that I am certain she will find a way to shorten it.

In the meantime, Latonya and Michael need your help to get back on their feet.

Please consider donating to Latonya and Michael. They continue to have all of the expenses they had before the accident, and new ones because of the accident.

Margaret Thatcher hit the story of the Good Samaritan on the nose, and I think she would admire Latonya for her strength and perseverance.

Thank you for reading this and giving.