Help Jennie Heal Head Injuries
Donation protected
It’s been a rough few months and I am asking for your help.
In the last five months I have had two separate head injuries. First, I was in a biking accident in November that resulted in a serious concussion, ambulance transportation, and outrageously expensive medical bills. Then in April I was assaulted and hit in the head by a stranger and suffered another head injury.
Even though I look and seem relatively "normal" on the outside, I have been struggling more than I could have possibly imagined. The emotional and mental aspect of healing from this trauma has often felt unbearable. I have had to miss work and my medical bills have racked up. As part of my healing process, I am asking that you donate to this campaign to help me cover the cost of my remaining medical bills.
I am asking my community to help me raise $6,500. My initial bill was over $31,000. My insurance has covered $25,000 of it, I have applied for charity, and I presently owe $6,500. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS and your contribution will help me to move on from this bizarrely traumatic time.
Asking for help in this way feels somewhat terrifying; I don't think I have ever felt so vulnerable. And yet, amidst my fear I am learning that true healing does not happen in isolation… it happens in community, friendship, and in family. I am ready to move on from the pain and fear these injuries have caused me, but I cannot do it without your support.
Thank you for being that support and for helping me to heal. I love you and am so grateful for the profound impact you have on my life.
Endless Love and Gratitude,
Jennie
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More Background in Case You Are Interested
The Bike Accident (11/18/14): Although I was wearing my helmet, I landed on the right side of my face, lost consciousness for about an hour and finally came-to as they were putting me in a CT scan in the local emergency room here in Oakland. Although the abrasions on my face healed relatively quickly, (see picture below...thanks to Super Salve from Flagstaff's Winter Sun!) I have endured the extreme and long-term challenges of recovering from a serious head injury.
From the acute onset symptoms to the more long-term ups and downs of recovery, this is by far the most challenging process I have ever been through.
An important part of my healing process has been to regain the courage to get back on my bike, and begin cycling again. After 5 months, I finally got back on my bike on April 24th…a very exciting day for me.
(noticed how stoked I am in the picture below)
Sadly, the very next day, I was physically assaulted while waiting for a train at the Embarcadero Muni Train station. A complete stranger randomly punched me, very hard, on the left side of my head, causing another minor trauma to the brain, and whiplash.
Within the span of span five months, I have sustained two traumatic head injuries. My initial bike accident landed me in the ER at a Trauma Level II, the exorbitant cost of which priced out my insurance premium, and has left me with that substantial ER bill.
At present I work as a self-employed Massage Therapist and Yoga Teacher in the Bay Area. In order to heal my injuries properly, and due to the actual physical limitations of recovering from traumatic head injuries, I have had to take off many weeks of work. To access the appropriate therapies to heal my injuries, I have incurred extensive out-of-pocket expenses for healing modalities that are actually therapeutic, but are not recognized by my health insurance company.
(Cosmo and I pictured above: What a lot of the last six months have looked like for us. Best Therapy Dog Ever.)
Another essential aspect of my healing process (and it's gift) has been to learn to ask for help. I am turning a page, moving onto the next chapter, and in doing so, I'm taking with me what valuable lessons I have learned form this challenging time in my life. The next clear step in my healing process, in moving on, is asking for your support, care and consideration…I am eternally grateful for love, encouragement, and support of my family and friends.
In the last five months I have had two separate head injuries. First, I was in a biking accident in November that resulted in a serious concussion, ambulance transportation, and outrageously expensive medical bills. Then in April I was assaulted and hit in the head by a stranger and suffered another head injury.
Even though I look and seem relatively "normal" on the outside, I have been struggling more than I could have possibly imagined. The emotional and mental aspect of healing from this trauma has often felt unbearable. I have had to miss work and my medical bills have racked up. As part of my healing process, I am asking that you donate to this campaign to help me cover the cost of my remaining medical bills.
I am asking my community to help me raise $6,500. My initial bill was over $31,000. My insurance has covered $25,000 of it, I have applied for charity, and I presently owe $6,500. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS and your contribution will help me to move on from this bizarrely traumatic time.
Asking for help in this way feels somewhat terrifying; I don't think I have ever felt so vulnerable. And yet, amidst my fear I am learning that true healing does not happen in isolation… it happens in community, friendship, and in family. I am ready to move on from the pain and fear these injuries have caused me, but I cannot do it without your support.
Thank you for being that support and for helping me to heal. I love you and am so grateful for the profound impact you have on my life.
Endless Love and Gratitude,
Jennie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More Background in Case You Are Interested
The Bike Accident (11/18/14): Although I was wearing my helmet, I landed on the right side of my face, lost consciousness for about an hour and finally came-to as they were putting me in a CT scan in the local emergency room here in Oakland. Although the abrasions on my face healed relatively quickly, (see picture below...thanks to Super Salve from Flagstaff's Winter Sun!) I have endured the extreme and long-term challenges of recovering from a serious head injury.
From the acute onset symptoms to the more long-term ups and downs of recovery, this is by far the most challenging process I have ever been through.
An important part of my healing process has been to regain the courage to get back on my bike, and begin cycling again. After 5 months, I finally got back on my bike on April 24th…a very exciting day for me.
(noticed how stoked I am in the picture below)
Sadly, the very next day, I was physically assaulted while waiting for a train at the Embarcadero Muni Train station. A complete stranger randomly punched me, very hard, on the left side of my head, causing another minor trauma to the brain, and whiplash.
Within the span of span five months, I have sustained two traumatic head injuries. My initial bike accident landed me in the ER at a Trauma Level II, the exorbitant cost of which priced out my insurance premium, and has left me with that substantial ER bill.
At present I work as a self-employed Massage Therapist and Yoga Teacher in the Bay Area. In order to heal my injuries properly, and due to the actual physical limitations of recovering from traumatic head injuries, I have had to take off many weeks of work. To access the appropriate therapies to heal my injuries, I have incurred extensive out-of-pocket expenses for healing modalities that are actually therapeutic, but are not recognized by my health insurance company.
(Cosmo and I pictured above: What a lot of the last six months have looked like for us. Best Therapy Dog Ever.)Another essential aspect of my healing process (and it's gift) has been to learn to ask for help. I am turning a page, moving onto the next chapter, and in doing so, I'm taking with me what valuable lessons I have learned form this challenging time in my life. The next clear step in my healing process, in moving on, is asking for your support, care and consideration…I am eternally grateful for love, encouragement, and support of my family and friends.
Organizer
Jennie Pearl
Organizer
Oakland, CA