Mayra C Neira

My name is Mayra Neira. I am 27 years old, and I never imagined that my life could change in an instant.

In December 2021, I was involved in a car accident that left me with two herniated discs in my neck. For more than two years, I lived with constant pain and discomfort while trying to continue my life as normally as possible. After exhausting my options, I decided to undergo surgery in January 2024 to replace one of the damaged discs and hopefully find relief from the pain.

I walked into the ambulatory surgery center expecting a chance at a better quality of life. Instead, I woke up a quadriplegic due to medical negligence.

In a matter of hours, everything I knew changed. Before my injury, I enjoyed the simple things many of us often take for granted—moving freely, caring for myself, spending time with loved ones, and making plans for the future. Today, every day presents challenges that have completely transformed the way I live. I now rely on a catheter for bladder management and need assistance with even the most basic daily tasks—eating, getting dressed, bathing, and moving from place to place. I also cannot cough on my own, so I rely on others to help me clear my lungs. Losing my independence has been one of the most difficult parts of this journey, as I must depend on others for nearly everything.

The physical and emotional impact of this injury has been overwhelming. There have been moments filled with fear, frustration, grief, and uncertainty as I learned to navigate a life I never expected. Yet through it all, I have fought to remain strong. I continue to hold on to hope, celebrate every victory, no matter how small, and push forward one day at a time.

Unfortunately, the financial burden of my care continues to grow. Ongoing medical treatments, rehabilitation, specialized equipment, transportation, and personal care needs come with significant costs. While insurance helps with some expenses, it does not cover everything.

Many of the resources that are essential to my daily life have had to be paid for out of pocket. My family and I have also had to make extensive renovations to our home to make it accessible for me, creating additional financial strain during an already difficult time.

As difficult as it is to ask for help, I am reaching out to my community, friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers for support. Your donation will help provide the care, equipment, and resources I need to maintain my health, independence, and dignity. More than that, your support reminds me that I am not facing this journey alone.

Every contribution, no matter the amount, is a gift of hope. If you are unable to donate, sharing my story would mean the world to me. Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey, for your compassion, and for helping me face the future with strength and courage.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

— Mayra”

Family and friends of Mayra Neira are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a catastrophic injury. Mayra has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.