Help Joslyn Recover from Devastating Crash by Drunk Driver

Last week my niece Joslyn, 21, was in a devastating and life altering car accident. She is truly lucky to be alive. She was hit in a head-on collision by a drunk driver. The car was totaled and begun to catch fire. Joslyn had enough fight in her to realize she had to get out of the vehicle in order to survive. Though both her legs were crushed, with her shin bone protruding from her leg and the bone dragging against the road, she forced her way out and dragged herself out of the wreckage. She is now facing the fight of her life.

Joslyn has suffered a massive number of injuries: both ankles are broken, her right leg is broken in the shin, four fingers on her right hand are broken, along with her both wrists, forearm, and collarbone several hematomas and a collapsed lung. The trauma caused blood clots in her lungs as well, and her hemoglobin levels keep dropping. She’s already had two blood transfusions and may need a third. On top of everything, she’s experiencing intense panic attacks, with her heart rate spiking to dangerous levels. She’s on anxiety medication to help manage it, but this has all been an emotional and physical nightmare.

She will be in inpatient therapy at the hospital for several weeks, and once she’s released, she’ll continue with outpatient rehab. But she won’t be allowed to come home until the house is fully handicap accessible. That means a wheelchair ramp, a walk-in shower, and an accessible toilet must be installed before the hospital will discharge her. These modifications aren’t optional—they are essential to her recovery.

We’re also trying to secure legal representation to hold the drunk driver accountable, and that comes with its own costs. On top of that, her mother, Brooke—who is now Joslyn’s full-time caregiver—has had to take off work for the foreseeable future. Brooke's wages are the majority of the household income. They’re going to need help with day-to-day expenses just to stay afloat.

Every bit of support makes a difference right now. Joslyn has endured so my physical and emotional trauma from this and needs the support of her friends, family and community to help her heal and move forward.