Never should have happened

On Sunday, July 23, 2023, our 24 year old daughter, Stephanie left her grandmother's house to go to work for the day as she had done so many times before. Less than a mile from leaving home, she was stopped on a residential street getting ready to make a turn when she was rear ended by another vehicle at a high rate of speed and then pushed into a tree, causing two major impacts. The driver of the vehicle that struck our daughter should have never been behind the wheel, and that is all we will say about that at this time.

The neighbors nearby, as well as other motorists ran to the involved vehicles to assist. Both cars were still in contact, and the other vehicle caught on fire, so the people on scene pulled both drivers to safety. Once EMS arrived, Stephanie was transported to the hospital emergency room, where she started to decline as her internal injuries began to affect her ability to breathe, and blood loss from damaged organs and torn arteries took their toll.

As a parent, I can say with certainty that there is no other phone call you can receive that will make you question everything. We were over two hours away when we were told that Stephanie was in a serious accident and in critical condition with an unknown status. As we drove towards the hospital, we both let the thought enter our minds that she may already be gone. It was horrific not knowing, and as we drove, Stephanie was fighting for her life, receiving blood transfusions, scans to detect all of her injuries, and oxygen through a now intubated airway.

When we arrived and were able to enter the room, Stephanie was sedated, with tubes and machines all around her. The doctor went down the list of her injuries. Several fractured vertebrae in her neck and back, two torn carotid arteries that feed blood to her brain in her neck, a torn aorta, two collapsed/punctured lungs, broken ribs, a torn spleen and kidney, and a broken ankle. All of the risks associated with these injuries were explained to us as well as how important the next 72 hours would be to Stephanie’s survival.

The hospital staff has to balance her blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing through a machine along with drugs to thin her blood, control the pressure, and many other things in order to prevent clots and a possible stroke, or a high blood pressure that would rupture the damaged arteries.

Stephanie’s room in ICU has become our makeshift home, and we have spent the last two weeks holding our own breath as she has continuous episodes in which she struggles to breath even with a ventilator pumping oxygen into her tiny body. Her blood filled and bruised lungs are being drained through chest tubes constantly, as we ride the wave of her climbing and falling oxygen levels and blood pressure, praying that her battered lungs and arteries can hold on long enough to allow enough time for healing to take place.

We are hoping and praying for a complete recovery eventually for Stephanie, however we know that it will be a long road. As we look to what her future holds, we can’t help but consider all of the non medical obstacles that she may face, and are doing everything we can as a family to protect her interests as she faces this through no fault of her own.

While “normal” health and auto insurance are in place, this “accident” is well beyond normal. We are considering what we are being told will likely be over a month in ICU, an unknown amount of time in recovery/physical therapy, and more than likely up to a year before a return to work is possible.

After suffering such a trauma, it is hard to think about the added stress this will bring to such a hard working, responsible, and independent young woman just starting out in life. Anyone who has ever known Stephanie knows that she is a selfless, giving, and beautiful soul.

As her family, we just want to make Stephanie whole in every way following such a horrific event. We are doing everything we can to assist her and turn tragedy into triumph. If you would like to help Stephanie, prayers, shares, and messages of encouragement, or any amount to assist in her regaining her independence would be greatly appreciated. Any money raised will go directly to her expenses related to placing this behind her (medical bills, vehicle replacement, lost wages etc.)

Thank you for everyone's thoughts and prayers that have been sent during all of this, we appreciate you and we know that Stephanie is feeling the love. And of course a special thank you to the team at HCA Florida, Lake Monroe Hospital for saving her life that day and every day since.

Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement,

Kevin and Juliet Pederson