On October 29, 2013, five-year-old Jazzlin Mejia, and her father, Gustavo, were traveling along Highway 121 when they were involved in a serious car accident. Little Jazzlin suffered a C6, C7 spinal cord injury which left her with feeling only in her upper body. Three days after the accident, Jazz underwent spinal fusion and today remains in a wheelchair. Her dad suffered serious injuries which included two broken legs and fractured ribs. He too remains in a wheelchair as his legs heal and his future mobility is further assessed (see link below for more on this accident).

Jazz has maintained a strenuous schedule at Children’s Hospital, Oakland consisting of many sessions of speech, occupational and physical therapy six days a week while maintaining her studies with a tutor. Jazz is vivacious and bright, sweet and stronger than I ever imagined. Since the accident, I’ve been able to get to know her very close-knit family and see firsthand the challenges they will face. Prior to her accident, Jazz was a student at Mary Collins at Cherry Valley here in Petaluma (and is in my daughter’s kindergarten class) — where she returned today for the first time since she was injured. She will continue her rigorous therapy schedule even while attending school.

Even with insurance, Jazzlin will have many uninsured injury-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, rehab therapy, home modifications and the purchase of a modified vehicle.