Help Amber Get Back on Her Feet!
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After 130 hikes in three years, my lucky streak of no injuries finally ran out: On April 15, I fractured my ankle during what would have been my third summit to Cucamonga Peak.
My injury is what is called a trimalleolar fracture, which is a three-part break of the ankle. In this injury, three specific areas of the ankle known as the malleoli break at the same time.
I received surgery on May 1 in which screws and a rod were implanted to support my ankle.
Since then, I've been on the journey to healing from going in a non-weight bearing leg cast to an Aircast boot, and finally weight bearing in a boot after a total of 9 weeks. I am still in the Aircast boot - currently walking in it- as I go to physical therapy.
The past three months have tested me physically, emotionally and spiritually. Although the first 6 weeks were the most painful, I still feel a level of moderate pain and discomfort on a daily basis as I train my body to learn how to walk again.
I feel grateful to have good resources and help- like my mother who has basically been, and continues to be, my personal driver as I've been unable to drive since my injury. I've also returned to somewhat normal activities in recent weeks like going to the beach and photo walks- with a knee scooter, no less- as well as going back to work.
While I have been able to make do financially up to this point because of decent insurance, I was out of work and on disability for 10 weeks in which my earnings were scaled down so I need some help.
I have never been one to ask for help, especially financially, so this is a new one for me. Please help in any way you can...any donation, small or large, helps me get back on my feet and eventually back to doing what I love: hiking and photography.
Medical Expenses Breakdown:
Surgery Co-Pay: $300
Emergency Room Co-pay: $200
Physical Therapy Sessions (12 scheduled): $40/session, $480
Misc Supplies
Knee Scooter: $140
Shower chair and leg cast cover: $40
Pain medications: $40
Misc Future Charges
Aircast Boot: Estimated $200 out-of-pocket (not covered by insurance)
Surgery copay in approximately one year to get screws and rod removed: $300
Maximum amount of fundraiser fees: $100
Total: $1,800
Photo gallery of my favorite hiking adventures from 2015 through 2018: https://imgur.com/gallery/D3s6J#5FbNFej
News story from April 15, 2018: https://www.sbsun.com/2018/04/15/torrance-woman-air-rescued-after-suffering-injuries-while-hiking-on-mount-baldy
Progression from ER Cast to AirCast Boot from April - May 2018: 
Resuming normal but limited activities as of June 2018: 
My injury is what is called a trimalleolar fracture, which is a three-part break of the ankle. In this injury, three specific areas of the ankle known as the malleoli break at the same time.
I received surgery on May 1 in which screws and a rod were implanted to support my ankle.
Since then, I've been on the journey to healing from going in a non-weight bearing leg cast to an Aircast boot, and finally weight bearing in a boot after a total of 9 weeks. I am still in the Aircast boot - currently walking in it- as I go to physical therapy.
The past three months have tested me physically, emotionally and spiritually. Although the first 6 weeks were the most painful, I still feel a level of moderate pain and discomfort on a daily basis as I train my body to learn how to walk again.
I feel grateful to have good resources and help- like my mother who has basically been, and continues to be, my personal driver as I've been unable to drive since my injury. I've also returned to somewhat normal activities in recent weeks like going to the beach and photo walks- with a knee scooter, no less- as well as going back to work.
While I have been able to make do financially up to this point because of decent insurance, I was out of work and on disability for 10 weeks in which my earnings were scaled down so I need some help.
I have never been one to ask for help, especially financially, so this is a new one for me. Please help in any way you can...any donation, small or large, helps me get back on my feet and eventually back to doing what I love: hiking and photography.
Medical Expenses Breakdown:
Surgery Co-Pay: $300
Emergency Room Co-pay: $200
Physical Therapy Sessions (12 scheduled): $40/session, $480
Misc Supplies
Knee Scooter: $140
Shower chair and leg cast cover: $40
Pain medications: $40
Misc Future Charges
Aircast Boot: Estimated $200 out-of-pocket (not covered by insurance)
Surgery copay in approximately one year to get screws and rod removed: $300
Maximum amount of fundraiser fees: $100
Total: $1,800
Photo gallery of my favorite hiking adventures from 2015 through 2018: https://imgur.com/gallery/D3s6J#5FbNFej
News story from April 15, 2018: https://www.sbsun.com/2018/04/15/torrance-woman-air-rescued-after-suffering-injuries-while-hiking-on-mount-baldy
Progression from ER Cast to AirCast Boot from April - May 2018: 
Resuming normal but limited activities as of June 2018: 
Organizer
Amber Stephens
Organizer
Torrance, CA
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