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Love 4Hannah

My daughter, Hannah, was the other teenager with Josue in the terrifying and life threatening accident on September 21st.

Hannah and her boyfriend Josue had just left a rivalry volleyball game between Wakefield and Highland. We had this game marked on our home calendar for weeks because she couldn’t wait to support her two best friends who would be playing on opposing teams for the first time. After the game, I left Wakefield about 15 minutes after Hannah with plans to meet up in Warrenton.

I felt my first hint of anxiousness set in when I messaged her asking where she wanted to meet, and Hannah didn’t text back. The anxiousness increased when she didn’t answer my call.

As I approached the curve on Old Tavern Rd that leads to the stop sign at Rt. 17, I could see vehicles turning around and knew that was a sure sign of an accident up ahead. I remember telling myself do not turn around, you have to be sure it isn’t Hannah. My gut was screaming that it was them and I knew. I just knew.

I assessed the scene with emergency vehicles parked all over the intersection. As I looked to my right I saw the gray Volkswagen and then even farther right, across the median facing the wrong direction, was Josue’s mangled Saturn.

I experienced true terror while trying to process the reality of what I was seeing. I parked on the shoulder, got out and started screaming, “Where is my daughter!, Where is Hannah!” Slowly comprehending that I am screaming at her teacher from Wakefield who was directing traffic.

I finally caught a glimpse of the toe of her Converse peeking up through the grass just past the car. That’s all I could see of her.

I was pointing and screaming, “That’s Hannah!, that’s my daughter! Is she ok?!?!?!”.

An officer assured me that she was responsive and that the paramedics were taking care of her. He explained that Hannah and Josue would be flown by helicopter to the trauma center at Fairfax Hospital and said I could see her first.

As I entered the ambulance, Hannah was struggling on the gurney and had to be strapped down to prevent her pulling at the IV’s in her arms, as well as keeping her neck in alignment. When I spoke reassuring her that Momma was there and that she would be ok, Hannah calmed and listened to my voice.

Then my time was up. Hannah, my only child, was taken to the helicopter and flew away.


When Hannah first arrived in the ICU she became less responsive. She was intubated to help her breathe and heavily sedated. She suffered multiple injuries; has a small subdural brain bleed, a concussion, a bone fracture on the C7 area of her spine, contusions on the upper left arm and eye and a sacral fracture on the right side where the lower spine meets the pelvis.

By Wednesday, the doctor removed the breathing tube and she was able to breathe on her own. The next 3 days she slept. It was necessary to keep the hard cervical neck brace on until she could be awake enough during an assessment. During this time she was transferred from Trauma ICU to the Pediatric Trauma floor.

By Friday, she roused enough to answer the doctor and the neck brace was removed. Later that day, we were able to assist her with walking a little and was cleared to eat after passing a swallow test. She was confused and lethargic while having acute head pain and would whisper, “I just want to sleep.”

By Saturday, Hannah walked the hallway and passed her cognitive test. She became more talkative trying to piece together what was going on (although we all had to whisper and keep the lights low) and we were able to discuss that she was in a car accident. It was very confusing and scary for her, as she does not remember the volleyball game or the accident. She continually asked for her phone and said she didn’t want her friends to think she was ignoring them, especially Josue. No devices are allowed with traumatic brain injuries and it has caused her intense anxiety that she is unable to contact him.

By Sunday, the team of doctors concluded that her injuries did not require surgery and she was released to continue the process of recovery and recuperation at home.


At this point, we are unsure of Hannah’s recovery time and taking it day by day. We are working with her doctors and will begin physical therapy for her concussion and vestibular symptoms on Monday. She has needed round the clock supervision. Both her dad and I are using leave and working together to provide that care. Hannah will require continued physical therapy, likely trauma related therapy, as well as follow up appointments with her orthopedic specialist and neurologist.

We are reaching out with this Go Fund Me page to seek help in offsetting the medical expenses involved, helicopter transport and unknown expenses to come. We appreciate any small donation, or if you are unable, we ask that you share our request with family and friends. So many have expressed the desire to help and our family is so grateful for the outpouring of love 4Hannah and 4Josue. They both are dedicated students, friends and athletes.


Please continue to keep Hannah and Josue in your prayers and send healing energy our way. We are extremely fortunate to have this huge community holding us up at this time!

With Gratitude,
The Meixner Family
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $25 
    • 2 yrs
  • Penny Glenn
    • $100 
    • 2 yrs
  • Yvonne Playfair-Scott
    • $60 
    • 2 yrs
  • Fauquier Falcon Booster Club
    • $100 
    • 2 yrs
  • A Hall
    • $100 
    • 2 yrs
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Organizer

Meredith Meixner
Organizer
Culpeper, VA

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