Help Jessica get Back on her Feet

Hello, my name is Jessica and I appreciate you taking a few minutes to read my story. On December 14, 2023, I fell down some stairs and broke my ankle in three places. I was babysitting and we were headed down the stairs. Despite the fact that I was holding on to the railing, I started to feel myself falling. My instinct was to pull the baby close to my body for her protection. The next thing I knew, I was sitting on the landing; my legs were extended in front of me and the baby was sitting safely on my lap. I quickly realized that my left foot was turned at an unnatural angle, and I was unable to move my foot at all. My ankle was severely dislocated and broken. In fact, part of the bone had splintered on impact. So I had successfully protected the baby from harm, but that means my body absorbed the full impact of the fall.

Correcting the dislocation and multiple breaks sustained as a result of the accident has required three trips to the hospital, two overnight stays, two surgeries, the use of external metal rods called fixators, fifteen stitches, a metal plate, nine screws, a fiberglass splint, and a cast.

At the time of the accident, I was working part-time and helping to care for my 88-year-old grandmother who has limited mobility due to Parkinson’s disease.

The recovery process has been incredibly painful and has impacted me greatly as I have been extremely limited in my physical capabilities. Waiting 6 weeks for the smaller pieces of splintered bone to fuse together meant the immobilization of my leg, and I was unable to work as a result. The injury has made daily activities physically challenging. Doing most things for myself that I previously didn’t give a second thought now require assistance. I am extremely thankful for my family members who have so kindly helped to provide meals and transportation during this challenging season.

The good news is that the bones have been healing and I had my cast removed this week. Today marks 3 months since the accident, and I have been told that I have a minimum of two more months of recovery time ahead of me.

I am grateful to have health insurance, but it doesn’t cover everything as is the norm these days, and I will also have to meet my deductible for this year.

Since this injury has limited me physically, including my ability to work, I am currently raising funds to cover my mounting medical bills and monthly expenses. All donations will be used for this purpose.

In light of how this series of events has impacted my life, I am asking you to please consider giving any amount to help lighten the load associated with this unexpected injury. This will allow me to focus on restoring strength and regaining the use of my leg so that I will be able to work in the future. Thanks again so much!