The day before Julianna’s 30th birthday, her life was turned upside down. She was struck by another vehicle traveling over 60 mph, causing her car to roll over and crash into a second vehicle. To say we are lucky she is still here is an understatement. The doctors themselves have told us that most people do not survive an accident like that. We are thanking God every day that Julianna is alive, but her survival is just the beginning of a very long and difficult road. What Julianna is Facing: While we are celebrating the miracle of her life, Julianna is battling some severe injuries. Aside from the expected bumps and bruises from a major rollover crash, she suffered a fractured neck and a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Her day-to-day reality right now is incredibly tough. She has been in and out of the hospital just trying to get her symptoms managed enough so she can simply sleep. She is constantly sick, light is incredibly painful for her, and the word "headache" doesn't even begin to describe the excruciating pain she is experiencing. Furthermore, Julianna has a lot more tests and procedures on the horizon. Over the past week, things have become even more concerning: her speech has worsened, she is slurring her words, and she cannot remember how to do things she has done for decades. To add to the physical toll, she feels incredibly guilty for not reaching out or responding to friends. Please know that she loves you all, but her energy is simply just not there right now. I started this page because seeing what they are going through, I knew we needed a central place for our crew to step up. As we all know, Julianna and Brea have a massive road ahead of them. Brea wants nothing more than to be by Julianna's side 24/7, but she unfortunately does not have the PTO or flexibility in her job to take care of Julianna the way she wants or needs to due to her company's policies. If you know Julianna, you know she handles things in true Julianna fashion: she does not want to inconvenience anyone or make a fuss. But right now, she and Brea desperately need and want the help and support of their people. Because Julianna doesn't have the energy to ask for it herself, I am asking for her. As she heals from her TBI and neck fracture, she cannot handle daily chores, errands, or cooking, and Brea cannot do it all while managing her strict work schedule. We have set up this Give InKind page to coordinate tangible support so Julianna can focus 100% of her limited energy on healing, and Brea can have some peace of mind. How We Can Help: If you can find some time to help Julianna and Brea out, it would be so very much needed and appreciated- Provide a Meal: Sign up for a slot on the calendar to drop off a meal or send a food delivery gift card. Help with Errands/Chores: Claim a spot to help with groceries, laundry, or basic house upkeep to take the burden off Brea. Send Support: If you are out of town and want to help, gift cards for groceries, delivery services, or contributions to her medical/recovery expenses are a massive help. Thank you for loving Julianna, for rallying around her and Brea, and for being the village they need right now. We will post updates on her progress as we have them.
A Note on Visiting: Julianna would absolutely love to see you and feel your positive energy, prayers, and love. Because of her severe headaches and the nature of her TBI, we do have a few small requests for visitors. Please plan to limit your stay to about 30 minutes, as socializing exhausts her very quickly right now. We also ask that you keep visits calm and mellow—please leave the high energy and loud kiddos at home for the time being. Quiet, gentle company is exactly what she needs as she heals.