Urgent Aid for Our Injured Family

I picked up the boys from school. Everybody was in such a good mood. We were laughing. I was driving below the speed limit. As I braked slightly into a turn, the car started to fishtail. I did not panic. The car started to regulate. I let out the breath I was holding. Then, the fishtailing began again but faster. I tapped the brakes. We started to plow straight towards the guard rail, a rushing river below. I turned the wheel opposite of the spin but it didn’t work and we turned 90* straight towards the trees. I yanked my wheel hard to the left, sideswiping those trees but slamming straight into 2 others. The black ice had increased our speed to an estimated 50mph. I reached my arm out to protect my son. The air bags deployed in slow motion. I heard the deafening sound of the steal crunch. Ezra’s head whipped forward and then his whole body flew back into the seat as if hit but a supernatural force. My head slammed into the steering wheel. Then silence. When I woke up I immediately started looking for my phone, while asking the kids “Are you ok?” No answer. I repeated “Are you guy ok?” each time more frantically. No answer. Next to me my son sat frozen. His eyes and mouth wide open. As I was feeling around on the ground for my phone, blood was gushing from my face. I wanted to call for help as soon as possible. I think this is when I began screaming “Are you ok?”

Finally, Jaxon answered from the back that they were ok. I found the phone by Ezra’s feet. I leaned in close to him and said “You are ok, I know you feel like you can’t breathe. Slowly take tiny breaths. In…out…you are ok” The color began to return to his face. I leaned up to back up out of the car and as soon as Oliver saw my face he started screaming. He did not stop until the firefighters arrived. I knew immediately that my arm was broken. It was deformed and covered in blood. When I stood up on the outside of the van there was a young girl standing right there with the police on speaker. I immediately started listing who was in the car. At that point Oliver had started screaming “my arm”. I told the dispatcher our injuries and that my son in the front was the priority. That my arm is broken but I’m in shock so I can’t tell what else is hurt. My head is bleeding but I can’t feel it. She asks where we are and I don’t know. Another car pulled up and when the man got out I yelled out to him”where are we?” I tried crawling back in the car but Oliver would get even more hysterical. He kept screaming “Don’t look at me” I kept my face pointed towards the ground. I stroked Ezra’s face and told him help was on the way. It seemed to take forever to hear the sirens. The electronics were fried so the firefighters used the jaws of life to pry open the back door. They put collars on the boys. Oliver came out first. He kept his eyes covered so he couldn’t see me. A firefighter took my hand. I did not let it go. He tried to step away from me a few times but I would not let go. I stood behind Oliver so he couldn’t see my face, telling him how brave and strong he is. That everything was going to be ok. Jaxon was able to stand. They got Ezra out of the van strapped to a back board. He had a neck brace on thank god because his eyes were wildly searching. That’s when I let go of the firefighters hand. I stepped over to Ezra to lean over and stroke his face. I told him how much I loved him. They loaded him and Jaxon into the ambulance and left quickly.

I wondered if I would ever see him again. It was time to get me on the gurney. As I went to sit down, it felt like I had been hit by The HULK with a sledgehammer in my hip. I started screaming. The shock was wearing off. “It’s broken… my hip is broken” my ribs are broken” The EMTs lifted me flat up off the ground and laid me flat on my back. The pain was attacking my body. My blood pressure was 72 over 50. They were poking me and cutting off my clothes. Giving me an IV and oxygen. I prayed. I said no no no on repeat. I screamed at them when they touched me. I called Jeff, my mom , and canceled basketball practice. I answered the police with a clarity I never had with their school or doctor. More screaming. Until they put Oliver in the ambulance with me. The firefighters were making him laugh. I went silent. It took everything in me to be quiet. To hold it all in. The EMT leaned on my arm and I yelled out. Oliver started crying.

“Hey Oliver, wanna sing our song?”

”Don’t worry be happy”

ME: Don’t worry

OLIVER: Be happy

ME: Don’t worry

OLIVER:

ME: sing baby… sing with mommy

we sang the song a few times through.

I stared at the wall. I disconnected.

I did our positive affirmations with Oliver.

I am brave

I am strong

I am smart

I am amazing

I am ok

I am loved

We arrive at the hospital… we are separated. I can hear them crying but I can’t see them.

Now, I let go

The shock is gone. Reality in its place.

Unbearable pain.

I Pray.

My arm is broken. It needs surgery. My hip and ribs are thrashed. I have 8 stitches in my face. My chest. My shoulder. My right leg. My foot. My knees. My head. A concussion that causes me to throw up for 3 days.

Ezra’s liver is lacerated. He has internal bleeding, a broken sternum, whiplash, a concussion, and a sprained ankle and knee. Well Everyone has whiplash and concussions. Oliver broke his arm. Jaxon had a bruised chest and seatbelt burns. He could barely move his neck and back.

This has been so devastating and traumatic for our family.

I’m asking for support so we can get a car, help with medical costs, and lost wages.

We are foster parents and now need to obtain childcare.

We are a big family on a tight budget. Any support you can give would be greatly appreciated. Every little bit helps.

Please pray for our family!!!

As the severity of our situation washes over me daily - I give all my gratitude to God for sparing my family.

We will recover because we are ALIVE!

God bless you all!

ONE LOVE!

Drive safe and hug your loved ones!

Thank you for reading.