Help Erica Rebuild After Traumatic Dog Attack

Hello. My name is Nanci. My closest friend, Erica Mayes, a woman whom I've known for 46 years, was violently and viciously mauled by an XL BULLY dog on 12/20/2024. This traumatic event was witnessed by the owner of that dog. The owner did not intervene AT ALL--or even utter a mumbling word. As Erica pleaded for HELP...as she pleaded for someone to OPEN the door...NO ONE came to her rescue. Erica instinctively realized that she had to fight back and get the upper hand somehow--if she wanted to live. The dog continued to fight with her--and he continued to bite down and tear into her body causing pain and significant injury to multiple areas. He was relentless, and if the dog had a goal in mind during these barrage of attacks--he was nearly successful, for he did severely disfigure, and traumatize the 49 year old--grandmother of two. But Erica survived ANYHOW!.. And DESPITE of... And REGARDLESS of any wicked power set against her in that moment.

Once Erica was able to gain the upper hand over the dog and free herself from its grasp, emergency units were called and she was eventually flown to Grady Hospital with life threatening injuries to her wrists, hands, thighs, and chest. While at Grady she was admitted to The Trauma Room where she stayed for 7 days. As a result of the trauma she endured--she had emergency surgery on her thighs and hands and received interventions from occupational therapy, therapy for mental health, and wound management. Erica must now live with permanent disfigurement and a lifetime diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for which she will need the support of a mental health professional. In a nutshell, her entire life was, is, and has been turned up side down. Before this tragic event occurred, she was looking forward to visiting her grandchildren and celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, & New Year's with them--her loving family--but those moments were stolen from her. And there will be no fond or happy memories for her or the family to recount of the 2024 Holiday season. They will only remember that she was a victim who was left to fight alone.

Obviously, Erica is no longer able to work and she will not have any income to pay he her bills and other living expenses. She is currently living with a wound vac on her thigh until she's stable enough to have a second surgery which is for a skin graft; she also has stitching on her thigh and hand. You know, work and/or routines gives one purpose; having a purpose makes life and living it mean something. Erica, will not be able to work. She needs assistance for wound care and carrying out her daily activities of living. Where does she find --PURPOSE for today? For tomorrow? If you know her personally, then maybe you could offer to her some wounds of comfort. Maybe she could then begin to find some PURPOSE in them...

Erica, my friend, will struggle to have her needs met. We don't know, nor can we really think that far ahead, how her recover will go. It's one day at a time [Jesus]. I, Nanci, am asking for anyone on this platform who can sympathize with Erica's plight; I am asking that YOU donate to her so she doesn't have to worry about how she is gonna to eat, or pay her car insurance, buy items for hygiene, pay rent, and so forth.

Friend. Please help me, help her. She did not ask for this. She did not expect this dog attack nor did she foresee that a friend would or could!...stand idly by and take no action whatsoever. Know that Erica loves dogs and to be attacked by an animal with whom she previously enjoyed spending time--has caused nightmares and has created an unspeakable pain that IS running deeply towards her heart's center (where the spark lives) --it is more than any human should bare.

Please help shoulder some of this burden for her. I appreciate you for taking the time to read a bit about Erica's story.

3/8/25 UPDATE: Erica's wound vac has been removed! She is able to walk unassisted but still with pain in her leg and hands, and with many days of psychological and occupational therapy ahead of her. She is still unable to work; she is still suffering. Her sleep is interrupted by ongoing nightmares as her subconscious mind brings the pain and horror back to the surface--when her guard is down, during the hours of rest. Regardless of this nightly interruption, she continues to look toward brighter days--days which include returning to work and once again, traveling to see her grandchildren. Erica's children have been pivotal in her recovery for they truly have taken care of their mom and have bestowed immense love upon her.

Please continue to support her as she walks the long road ahead to some degree of recovery.

Thank you and God Bless you,

Nanci B.