Support Joanie's Recovery from Severe Bike Accident

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

As you may know, my Mother, Joanie, was involved in a severe bicycle accident this past Memorial Day, May 26th. She is currently in Mass General Hospital being treated for 6 broken ribs (some in several places), and a collapsed lung.

She is an incredibly hardworking woman, and the sole provider for my 15yo brother Logan. She is facing a long, excruciating road to recovery, and our family urgently needs your support.

What Happened:

My mom was riding an electric bike when she crashed, going about 20-25mph. Her body was catapulted over the handlebars and hurled into a cement wall. She heard her bones crack and felt her lung collapse as she struggled to breathe before being rushed by ambulance to the emergency room at MGH.

Devastating Injuries:

- SIX fractured ribs (some are broken in multiple places.)

- Collapsed lung, punctured by bone fragments.

These are especially severe injuries for my mom to endure, as she already battles COPD and rheumatoid arthritis. Her recovery will be that much longer and more challenging, and she is literally suffering in agony.

Current Hospitalization & Treatment:

She was taken to MGH where she spent three frightening days in the ICU before being transferred. She had two tubes in her back for five days: one to drain fluids from her lung, and another to administer an epidural (spinal tap) as part of her pain management.

We are still unsure of when she will come home, how long her healing process will take, or what the full extent of her recovery will entail.

The doctors discussed possible surgery to repair her broken ribs using a series of pins and screws, but they are concerned about causing another punctured lung.

The Impact on Our Family:

My Mother is the bedrock of our family. She always says “My children are my life”, and she puts our needs ahead of her own 100% of the time. She is the sole provider for my brother Logan, a 15yo freshman in high school, who described the accident as his “worst fear come to life”. She works incredibly hard at a local dry cleaner, but we are a low-income family living in subsidized housing, and we already struggle to make ends meet.

She is responsible for all household demands, including:

Rent

Food

Car insurance & Maintenance

Utilities (electricity, gas)

Phone & Internet

Pet care

Other daily essentials

We were behind on bills before this tragic accident, and now, with my mom unable to work, our financial situation is critical.

When she is released from the hospital, I will be tending to her needs full-time, which means I will also be unable to contribute a steady income.

How You Can Help:

We are raising money to cover essential living expenses and medical costs not covered by insurance during her recovery.

Your generous donations will go directly towards:

Rent: To keep a roof over our heads and prevent eviction.

Groceries: Ensuring Logan and Joanie have nutritious food during her recovery.

Utilities: Keeping our lights on and home comfortable.

Basic Medical Needs: Any out-of-pocket medical needs, transportation costs for follow-up appointments, grocery shopping, etc.

Daily essentials: Basic household items she or Logan may need to maintain stability during this incredibly difficult time.

Comfort level: We believe that an adjustable bed would be immensely beneficial in helping ease her pain, regain mobility, and rest more comfortably during her recovery.

Our Goal:

We are aiming to raise $9,000 which will provide crucial relief for Logan & My Mom, allowing her to concentrate solely on her recovery without the added stress of financial ruin.

Every donation, no matter how small, will make a profound difference in our ability to stay afloat and ease her burden.

Please consider donating and sharing our campaign with your friends, family, and social networks.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your kindness and generosity during this challenging time.

Our Mom means the world to us, and your support is everything.

Sincerely,

Alicia & Logan