On Friday, December 20th, our dear friend Monica had a hard fall in an icy parking lot while out holiday shopping with her partner. The fall resulted in a significant injury, including a broken tibia, splintered fibula, and fractured ankle, practically shattering her lower right leg.

Monica was rushed to Highland Hospital where she waited in the ER for nearly seven hours before she was able to be seen by the attending orthopedic physician. Two days later, she was finally admitted to the OR where she underwent intensive surgery to place a rod, plate, nails, and screws in her lower leg and ankle.

The surgery was complicated with unexpected turns, but ultimately successful. Recovery will require Monica to be off her feet for 6 weeks or more, (including no driving), extensive physical therapy, and post-op care. We are starting this fund to help cover the cost of her nearly 5-day hospital stay, surgery, related medical needs post-op, attorney and litigation costs, and loss of income while she’s unable to work.

Despite the trauma of her injury, a bumpy and exhausting hospital stay, battling a resistance to pain medication, a stark change in her daily routines, and navigating concerns about how this will impact her way of life long-term, Monica has remained grounded, light-hearted, and grateful throughout this entire process. To know Monica is to understand how deeply she loves and cares for her friends and her community. She’s always the first one to lend her support, but is often too humble to ask for it in return. So, with our deepest gratitude, we’re asking on her behalf.

If you’d rather contribute to her directly, her personal Venmo is @Monica-Alanna.

We hope that easing her financial burden during this time will allow her to focus on her recovery so she can get back to doing the things she loves most - practicing yoga, making art, hiking, cooking, crafting, teaching, and generally being the hilarious ray of sunshine we all know and love.

Monica is deeply thankful for the care offered in hospital, and at home from her loved ones. She continues to say how meaningful it is for her to know she’s so supported, and cherishes the gift of being able to lean on her beloved community.