u/hrossouw

UPDATE:
Jen was placed in a rehab facility that unfortunately could not meet her needs of care. She is back in the hospital, where they are testing for possible wound infections. In addition to all the other injuries and surgeries still to be performed; they are treating her for a brain aneurism, and a fractured spine, which they put on hold in order to attend to the life threatening injuries first.

Jen and Deb (Mom) are hoping to go to an Airbnb or an extended stay hotel near the hospital with home health assisting with her care.

Your donations and prayers are very much appreciated.

Jennifer is well liked by all people, but especially the homeless people in Santa Clara County as she made it her life’s mission to serve the homeless community. Jennifer also worked as an IHSS ( In Home Support Service) worker. Her clients loved her as she made a real difference in their lives. All of this changed dramatically on July 2nd when a bus collided with Jennifer while riding her bicycle.

To say the least she received numerous injuries.
Fx Scapula
9 fx ribs treated by internal fixation plates
2 pneumothorax (collapsed lungs) treated with chest tubes
Fix pelvis three places, treated with an internal stabilizer that we are hoping will be removed the first of the September
Fix Humerus Lt treated with internal plate
Displaced open fx of lt femur and will require many plastic surgeries and skin grafts to get closed
Displaced open Fx lt tibula and fibula multi places that at this time have had plates and screws but will be requiring bone grafts. The tissue from knee to ankle was completely removed during the accident and has required skin grafts, she will not be able to walk due to this injury possibly a year.
Bilateral fx ankles non displaced, at this time just monitoring.

Jennifer was in a coma for 3 days after the accident and coded once in ICU. She also required a tracheostomy, which since a week ago has been removed.

She is making many improvements in her condition, but is looking at a long term stay in a rehab facility.
Any donation to assist her financially or prayers are truly appreciated.

Jennifer helped others in the community and now she needs help for mounting living and medical expenses. Please take a minute of your time and donate to this wonderful woman’s GoFundme

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jennifers-recovery-after-bicycle-collision

Jennifer Smith
I was hit by a bus while riding my bicycle and I SURVIVED. It has been 6 weeks and I spend most of those days asleep or in a coma like a damaged Snow White. I could hear voices of Doctors, Nurses and my friends; I also had fragmented pieces of memories of the accident. By the time I woke up I had no doubts what put me in hospital and how my life changed in a second.

Now I try and focus on the right Here Right Now, because thinking of the violent impact or the plans I had for my life means visiting a grief that I can only tolerate in small doses.

It’s easier for me to think about daily accomplishments like standing up on one fragmented foot for a few seconds while being guided to a bedside chair, or the day my trachea was removed and my voice came back to life, or the day I was able to eat solid food, for which I celebrated with a small portion of cheeseburger and fries.

Thinking about these things is the positive respite I need from dwelling on all the plans I had being derailed or missing my old life. Overcoming daily adversities makes hope feel realistic… Hope for a new life that is as fulfilling as the life I had planned.

I want to thank those who have prayed for me, send messages of encouragement, or have donated to the GoFundme.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jennifers-recovery-after-bicycle-collision

Jennifer is well liked by the homeless people in Santa Clara County as she made it her life’s mission to serve the homeless community. Jennifer also worked as an IHSS ( In Home Support Service) worker. All of this changed dramatically on July 2nd when a bus collided with Jennifer while riding her bicycle.

She sustained multiple critical injuries, was in a coma for three weeks during which time seven surgeries were performed on her. Since then three more surgeries have been performed with multiple more during the next year. She cannot put any weight on her left foot for a year as a result of bone loss.

Jennifer helped others in the community and now she needs help for mounting living and medical procedure expenses. Please take a minute of your time and donate to this wonderful woman’s GoFundme

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jennifers-recovery-after-bicycle-collision