Hi, My name is Susan Richman and I am fundraising to help with expenses after a terrible accident. I am currently physically disabled and also suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from a 75 ft fall while I was hiking along the Mississippi River last July. Nobody witnessed my fall as I was hiking alone, as I often do. But I fell straight down and landed on the rocky shoreline of the river below. Thankfully, some canoeists were paddling by later that evening and spotted my body in the weeds and rocks along the waters edge. Apparently 2 of the women on the canoe team were nurses and they immediately called 911 and then stayed with me until help came. I was unconscious and was never able to find out who they were so I can thank them for saving my life! I am convinced that they were Angels sent from Heaven!!

I was rescued by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol and taken to Hennepin County Medical Center where I was in the ICU for the next 6 weeks.

I shattered both ankles, both legs, my pelvis, my sacrum, my pubic bone and 3 vertebrae in my back. I tore my ACL, MCL and PCL in my right knee, broke my left arm, and also suffered a traumatic head and neck injury. A metal rod was inserted into my right leg from the knee to the ankle to help support the broken bones. My kids, Michael and Kristina, stayed by my side in the hospital when my head injuries made my brain swell and I was unconscious and delirious when I was awake.

I was released from HCMC in September and have been in my apartment ever since. My son and daughter, God Bless them, have helped me get to appointments, carrying me in my wheelchair up and down the 3 flights of stairs to my apartment. I was unable to leave my apartment without their help.

I just recently started learning how to stand and walk with support. I can only stand for about 10 minutes at a time before the pain is too much. My right tibia has not healed so they may be scheduling a bone graft from my femur to see if that will assist it in mending. I am scheduled for repair of 3 of the 4 ligaments in my right knee in the coming month. It's a 4-6 hour surgery so the doc is struggling to find that big chunk of time at the hospital to schedule it. My head injury prevents me from being able to focus, especially under stress. The headaches are almost unbearable. I am working 2 times a week with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Specialist who is helping me find tools to help me navigate daily life.

I was employed full-time at the time of my accident, so I was able to receive Medical Leave of Absence pay from my employer for 6 months. That ended in January. I have no income or savings to help pay my bills moving forward. I am applying for SSDI, but that process can take years. I have reached out to Catholic Charities, Ramsey County, the Neighborhood House, and every other agency I have heard of asking for help. Ramsey County was able to help me with food stamps and also assistance with 1 month's partial payment of rent in October. I have applied for emergency assistance, but being unemployable is blocking me from many avenues of assistance I have inquired into. I am asking for your help so that I don't become homeless again with these injuries. Please help with whatever you can.

I am a strong woman and I am a Survivor! I had my neck and back broken by a serial rapist when I was younger. I have metal plates in my spine from that injury that probably protected me somewhat in the fall. I stood up for all the victims at the serial rapist's trial. I helped to put him in prison for a long time! I worked out at the gym to repair my injuries and make myself strong. I became a personal trainer and a boxing instructor. I was still working in the gym when Covid hit. I lost my business. I struggled just like everyone else.

I WILL get through this and come out OK! I just need to stay STRONG. It is very hard for me to ask for help. That being said, I am truly grateful for any help I can get right now. I will use the funds to pay for my rent and living expenses until I can get full disability approval. My total rent, utilities and basic living expenses come to $1,000/month. I live in the least expensive apartment I could find on the bus line in St. Paul when I first moved in last November after 6 months of homelessness. I set my goal for this fundraiser at $6,000 because my knee surgeon says my recovery will be at least 4-6 months. I will be back in a wheel chair again at first and will eventually end up with crutches if the rest of my body heals as planned. I'm not able to drive, so I have canceled my car insurance to help lighten the load. I am utilizing the local food shelves when I can get someone to take me there, which helps a little as well.

I am so afraid I will be evicted, as the rent and expenses are piling up! Living in my car again would be a huge hindrance to my physical and mental recovery.

My friend Dave Tronnier offered to help me with this fundraiser. Please feel free to reach out to either of us. I am also looking for an attorney to help me navigate the process of applying for SSDI. Please Let me know if you know any attorneys who specialize in Social Security Disability.

Thank you so much for your consideration! Please be safe out there!

Love and hugs to all,

Susan Richman :-)

P.S. Sorry for the bad photo. It is the only one I have of myself since my fall! :-(

Please share this link below with anyone who could offer help!