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Mary Crawford looked at the floor and paused as she reflected on the question.
She had been asked what challenges lie ahead for her daughter Megan — who was critically injured in a car accident four months ago — and the rest of the family.
“We do not know what brain capabilities Megan has. She follows commands, but not consistently,” Mary said, looking across the room at her 25-year-old daughter lying in a hospital bed.
Also unknown is how the family will deal with the devastating cost of Megan’s care. The bill is already approaching $1 million.
Uncertainty
Uncertainty is the family’s constant companion, and has been since July 15.
Early that morning East Peorian Amy Adkins, 26, a passenger in Megan’s car, was killed at about 4 a.m. on I-75 between the communities of Richmond and Berea, Ky.
Megan survived, but just barely.
The pair were struck by a minivan traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-75. That vehicle was driven by Joseph Vanderman, 38, of Corbin, Ky. He was also killed in the collision.
Kentucky Master Trooper Chris Lanham said Vanderman entered the southbound lane of I-75 going northbound at a well-lit entrance ramp. It is a rural area.
Since then the family has watched Megan deal with broken bones, brain trauma, drug-induced coma, pneumonia, bladder infections and critical complications from her diabetes.
Finally, Mary decided she wanted her daughter home for the holidays and brought her home. On Dec. 1, Mary allowed the Woodford Times a visit inside their home and opened up about what the family is dealing with.
“After all Megan and the family has been through we all needed a break,” Mary said. “This whole thing has been crazy. Her health is so fragile. Her immune system is so weak. But, I still wanted her home. I said to the doctors, ‘Let us go home for two weeks to a month.’”
Mary said the doctors were not receptive. They wanted Megan in an intermediate or long-term care facility.
“It was a nightmare getting it all done. I simply said, ‘No.’ They were surprised we’d take on Megan’s care,” Mary said. “It was interesting. I had been dealing with doctors for more than four months. Doctors don’t scare or intimidate me anymore.”
Challenges
“We don’t know all the challenges that lie ahead. What we do know is that every baby step Megan takes forward leads to another baby step forward,” Mary said.
Mary Crawford looked at the floor and paused as she reflected on the question.
She had been asked what challenges lie ahead for her daughter Megan — who was critically injured in a car accident four months ago — and the rest of the family.
“We do not know what brain capabilities Megan has. She follows commands, but not consistently,” Mary said, looking across the room at her 25-year-old daughter lying in a hospital bed.
Also unknown is how the family will deal with the devastating cost of Megan’s care. The bill is already approaching $1 million.
Uncertainty
Uncertainty is the family’s constant companion, and has been since July 15.
Early that morning East Peorian Amy Adkins, 26, a passenger in Megan’s car, was killed at about 4 a.m. on I-75 between the communities of Richmond and Berea, Ky.
Megan survived, but just barely.
The pair were struck by a minivan traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-75. That vehicle was driven by Joseph Vanderman, 38, of Corbin, Ky. He was also killed in the collision.
Kentucky Master Trooper Chris Lanham said Vanderman entered the southbound lane of I-75 going northbound at a well-lit entrance ramp. It is a rural area.
Since then the family has watched Megan deal with broken bones, brain trauma, drug-induced coma, pneumonia, bladder infections and critical complications from her diabetes.
Finally, Mary decided she wanted her daughter home for the holidays and brought her home. On Dec. 1, Mary allowed the Woodford Times a visit inside their home and opened up about what the family is dealing with.
“After all Megan and the family has been through we all needed a break,” Mary said. “This whole thing has been crazy. Her health is so fragile. Her immune system is so weak. But, I still wanted her home. I said to the doctors, ‘Let us go home for two weeks to a month.’”
Mary said the doctors were not receptive. They wanted Megan in an intermediate or long-term care facility.
“It was a nightmare getting it all done. I simply said, ‘No.’ They were surprised we’d take on Megan’s care,” Mary said. “It was interesting. I had been dealing with doctors for more than four months. Doctors don’t scare or intimidate me anymore.”
Challenges
“We don’t know all the challenges that lie ahead. What we do know is that every baby step Megan takes forward leads to another baby step forward,” Mary said.
“Being in the house is so wonderful. She’s in the hubbub of it all. We do not want her hidden away.”
Still it is that hubbub that presents a concern. Megan is prone to infections. That means limiting her exposure to outsiders who want to see her. Megan is especially prone to lung and bladder infections.
But, the concerns quickly get pushed aside when something new happens.
“Tonight (Dec. 1) I saw her move her thumb” Mary said, smiling.
But, the smile did not last long.
“I’m scared she doesn’t know what happened to her,” Mary said. “I read to her all the time. I don’t ever want her brain empty.”
Community
Asked what the community can do to help Mary shook her head.
“At this point we’re not sure,” she said. “We’re still reeling ourselves.”
One big issue facing the family is cost.
“The driver that hit her had insurance. But, the hospital bill, so far, is way over his limit. One bill we’ve received is $600,000. Another was $300,000,” Mary said.
“A bill came in today (Dec. 1) for $85,000. The bills are slowly coming in. There’s no end in sight. Then there’s prescriptions, sterile gloves and a thousand other little things like alcohol sponges. That little stuff adds up.”
The family is unsure what the future will bring financially. However, Mary said, they are thankful for the help they have been receiving.
“The costs are mind-boggling. It’s the nickel and dime stuff that adds up. Family, friends and even people we don’t know have been sending money” Mary said.
The family has accounts for Megan receiving donations at Heartland Bank and South Side Bank.
"If the community wanted to help, meals would be nice. We appreciate the cards we receive, too,” Monica, Megan’s older sister, said.
“It’s hard to make meals with so much of our time devoted to Megan. In-home medical help from experienced and trained people would be helpful, too.”
No matter what it costs or how much time it takes, Mary said, it will be worth it.
“There’s no other way for us to go. We cannot throw Megan under the bus. She’s our baby. She’s always been very caring,” Mary said.
“I have nights when I cry, but I still stay positive. She needs to know people love and care for her. We have seen one miracle after another. I think the Lord has major plans for her down the road.”
