Help Haley and Austin with Olivia's Medical Bills

***UPDATE*** Olivia was released from the hospital today and at home healing with her family. They are blown away by the overwhelming amount of love and support. They hope every one of you feels their gratitude like they have felt of your prayers and healing vibes.

We are blessed that she is alive and recovering better than anyone could have hoped for, and the village who have showed up for them.

Thank you again for all the love and support to our family. We know she has a long road ahead, but a very optimistic one.

Dear Friends, Family, and Community,

My family and I (Shanna & Donald Sims, Rachel Swallia Hanson, Jeromy Sims, & Amanda Evans) have put together this GoFundMe to assist my baby sister Haley Wilkey and Brother-in-Law Austin Wilkey. Over the weekend, my sister's family had a tragic accident with her 3-year-old daughter, Olivia. While preparing for a family photo session in the meadows in Mt. Charleston, as my sister is a photographer, she was waiting for her clients to get there and her children were playing not far from her. Her husband was laying out a blanket for the kids to sit on while their mom took the photos.

Haley noticed that there were several wild mustangs in the meadow and noticed that one of them was approaching her younger son. She was telling him to get back and as she was doing so, the horse kicked Olivia (her 3-year-old daughter) in the head. Olivia was non-responsive and Haley was calling for her husband to get help. There was no cell service, so he jumped in his car and started down the mountain to try to get service. In the meantime, a bystander came over to Haley and told her he had a first aid kit in his truck. They put her on the truck bed and he and Haley held Olivia's skull together for 45 minutes waiting for paramedics/emergency help. Medic West Flight for Life was dispatched, but Olivia had to be brought down the mountain before they could airlift her to UMC Trauma. As soon as they arrived, they immediately assessed her and determined that she had a severe skull fracture and a bleed in the middle of her brain, as well as a contusion on the brain and a severe concussion. She underwent a little over a three-hour surgery by the neurosurgeon who repaired her skull and added floating plates to try and repair and round out her forehead. She has been in the ICU Unit and will be until she can function enough to go home. Her recovery will be slow. She has always been a fun, outgoing and rambunctious child.

Haley is a stay-at-home mom and works part-time as a photographer and for a destination wedding company. Austin is the main income earner for the family.

They have struggled with many things this year, and our current economy doesn't help. Haley is not one to ask for help, but at this point, she is feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the medical bills that are estimated to come in. They're hoping that she will not require any at-home care, but it's one day at a time.

Our family has come together and has helped care for the other children, our parents have been down there every day to help and also make sure that they get a break to eat, take a shower, try to get a short nap. It's difficult times we live in, their funds are low and everyone has pitched in as much as possible. They are so appreciative of all the calls, prayers, and many acts of kindness.

If you feel that you would like to help Haley and Austin, they could really use the help in reducing the financial stress that the medical bills have put on them. With that being said, we have created a GoFundMe in their honor. If you're more comfortable with Venmo, you can send it directly to Haley Wilkey @Haley-Wilkey. Also feel free to reach out if you would prefer to use Zelle or send it through the mail.

To our family, friends and community, thank you for your continued support that you have shown our family at this time. We are a very close family and our parents have always been there for their children and many people they know. They have taught us to be helpful, kind, thoughtful, strong and to be aware of others' circumstances. To be giving to those in need. Asking for help doesn't come easily for our family. We would rather be the givers than the receivers.

Olivia is such a special little girl and is a true blessing from God. She brings joy and laughter to all who meet her. So on behalf of her family, siblings, parents, and grandparents we thank you in advance for the continuous support and encouragement as we navigate through Olivia's recovery and her journey to be back to her happy go lucky self. We know her chickens are missing her and can't wait for her to be home and go out to the coop and boss them around.

With much thanks and love,

Don and Shanna Sims (parents)

Rachel Hanson (sister)

Amanda Evans (sister)

Jeromy Sims (brother)