Magui in the News:
Here are some links to different news stories that have either been written about Magui, or Magui has had a role in since her injury.
Here’s an article about Magui’s accident from local Houston news KHOU…
www.khou.com /> Magui’s sister-in-law wrote a column on Magui’s accident. Here’s the link if you’d like to read it… www.chapelhillnews.com /> Magui’s sister-in-law wrote a follow-up column about her after the one-year anniversary of her accident. Here’s the link to that column…
www.chapelhillnews.com /> Magui went surfing in Port Aransas, Tx. It was an event called “They Will Surf Again” sponsored by the Life Rolls On Foundation. Here’s a link to a video news story about the event with an appearance from Magui…
www.kiiitv.com /> Magui attends a support group for spinal cord injuries run by a fellow injured person, Chris Salas. Here’s a link to a news story in the San Antonio Express News sharing a little info about Magui, Chris, and Rolling Inspiration – the name if Chris’ support group…
www.mysanantonio.com /> The Accident:
Magui was involved in a severe car accident on January 9, 2010. She was a passenger in a car that was hit by an 18-wheeler on U.S. 59 in Houston, Texas. Her friend, who was driving, passed away upon impact, and Magui was left with a C-5 spinal cord injury, paralyzed from the chest down.
ICU and Rehabilitation:
Over the next 17 days, Magui spent time in the neurosurgical intensive care unit at Ben Taub General Hospital’s trauma center and underwent several surgeries. Among them, the most important were to remove and replace her shattered C-5 vertebrae and to fuse her spine from the C-4 – T-1 vertebrae to stabalize her neck and spine. After being released from the NICU, Magui spent the next 8 weeks at TIRR Memorial Hermann for her initial phase of rehabilitation. There she was able to wean off her ventilator and rebuild strength in her shoulders and arms. She was able to start maneuvering a power wheelchair. Near the end of March 2010, Magui left TIRR to return home with her husband, Charles.
Present Day:
Magui found out about Project Walk, a program in California that helps victims of spinal cord injury recover through an intense exercise program. Not being able to travel to California, she found a facility in Austin, called Roll2Walk, that was founded by a former Project Walk client who continued Project Walk’s program closer to home. After spending a week at Roll2Walk and working out with the trainers there, Magui knew that’s what she needed for her best chance at recovery. Over the next several months, Magui and Charles planned on how to move closer to Roll2Walk so Magui could exercise on a regular basis. After Charles’ contract was up at his job in Houston, they put their home up for sale and moved in with Magui’s parents in San Antonio. Upon arrival, Magui found a facility in San Antonio, called Pressing On, that offers the same program as Project Walk and Roll2Walk. Magui has been attending sessions at Pressing On since December 2010 and plans to continue going.
HelpHOPELive:
Magui signed up with HelpHOPELive to help raise money to pay for uninsured medical expenses associated with her spinal cord injury. Among the uninsured expenses are her monthly expenses at Pressing On; medical supplies for everyday care; specialized equipment like a standing frame and shower chair; medication; and nursing care. Magui also would like to eventually purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Unfortunately, the reality she has found is that while insurance does help, it doesn’t help pay many things deem medically unnecessary by insurers.

How to Donate:
Magui has chosen to fundraise with HelpHOPELive – The Leader in Fundraising Assistance and Support for Transplant and Catastrophic Injury – in part because HelpHOPELive provides both tax-deductibility and fiscal accountability to contributors. Contributors can be sure that funds contributed will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800-642-8399.

Thanks for your support!