My 10-year-old son asked if he could have a playdate with his three favorite cousins on April 29, 2024, and I agreed, telling him I would go home, prepare dinner, and pick him up when I finished. That night, I never got back to him. Neither my uncle nor I ever imagined that we would be in a situation that would change our lives in such a drastic way when I asked him to ride with me to pick up my son. Due to the out-of-service street lights, I had to stop as if it were a stop sign.

Although I did not see the truck passing through the light, I felt the impact he would make as he crashed into my vehicle at over 70 mph, which is still a feeling I can't quite put into words. I wasn't sure what had happened. I only knew that time had slowed down and my breath had been taken away.

As time returned to normal and I realized what had happened, I looked to my right to see that my uncle wasn't moving; I was in so much shock that I was screaming asking if he had died, but the kind people who came to our aid couldn't answer. Once I removed my seatbelt, I collapsed onto my uncle. I now understand that my vehicle had pushed into a pond. I tried opening the door and moving, but I was unable to do either.

Upon arrival of paramedics, the jaws of life were used to free me from my wrecked vehicle. Due to the severity of our injuries, we were transported together in the same ambulance to the hospital. I had to undergo emergency surgery, the pain I felt when I first woke up, and realizing the extent of my injuries was unreal.

After surgery, I was overjoyed to discover that despite my uncle's ordeal—sustaining 18 broken ribs and a fractured collar bone—he had survived. My own injuries were excruciatingly painful, encompassing 6 broken ribs, a fractured tibia and fibula, a broken pelvis, hip, spine, and a finger that has yet to heal and might require amputation. I now have two rods and eight screws in my leg.

Learning to walk again was a challenge, and I relied on nurses for assistance with rolling over, sitting up, and using a bedpan, which were all new experiences for me at 38. Following my discharge from the trauma unit, I spent three and a half months in a nursing home for recovery. My primary focus during this time was returning to my only child, my dog, and my cat.

I've been back home for roughly a month now. Although my condition has improved significantly, I'm facing challenges both physically and financially. I can't work, and my son and I no longer have a car. I'm doing everything in my power to support myself, my family, and most importantly, my child.
 

My son will be turning 11 next month I want to give him a birthday to remember especially after being away from him so long, and not being able to do as much for him as I wish I could. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and assistance in advance.