My Life Changed Forever on October 12, 2024
Head-On Collision Survivor: Help Me Rebuild
Hi, my name is Russell, and I never thought I’d be sharing something like this. On October 12th, 2024, at exactly 12:09 AM, my life changed in an instant.
While driving on the freeway, a drunk driver entered the wrong side of the road and hit me head-on.
The impact was massive. Everything went still. I was completely disoriented, trapped in the driver’s seat, and knew that if I didn’t get out, I wouldn’t make it out alive.
My leg was stuck on the seat adjustment lever under the seat. In that moment, I made a decision no one should ever have to make: I broke my own foot to free myself from the car and crawl to the side of the road for safety.
That moment still haunts me. But I survived.
The Road to Recovery
The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital, hooked up to machines, trying to piece together what had happened.
Over the next month, I underwent seven surgeries and procedures, including:
Two emergency abdominal surgeries to stop internal bleeding
External and internal fixation of my right leg and foot
Facial reconstruction surgery due to multiple facial fractures
I had to be put back together bone by bone, stitch by stitch. The physical pain was extreme, but the emotional toll was just as hard. Learning to walk again, eat again, and face each day has been the toughest journey of my life.
A Financial Burden I Can’t Carry Alone
My total hospital bills came out to over $1,000,000.
Thankfully, my insurance covered $500,000.
And by the grace of God, after writing letters and asking for help, the hospital forgave another $400,000.
But I am still left with $100,000 in medical debt.
That’s on top of lost income, physical therapy, follow-up care, and trying to rebuild a life that was completely torn apart by one person’s reckless choice.
Why I’m Asking for Help
This past year has been a rollercoaster physically, emotionally, and financially. I’ve fought to stay alive, fought to recover, and now I’m fighting to move forward.
I’m asking for help not out of weakness, but out of hope. Hope that with your support, I can rebuild what was taken from me.
Every donation, no matter how small, helps chip away at this mountain. If you’re not in a place to give, just sharing this campaign means the world to me.
I’m so grateful to be alive. I’m grateful for the doctors who saved me, the people who’ve supported me, and the chance to heal. But there’s still a long road ahead, and I can’t walk it alone.
Thank you for reading my story. Thank you for caring. And thank you for helping me take the next steps.
With love and deep gratitude,
Russell
