A jazzy, classy lady has fallen through the cracks in our social services and medical systems.
Nefertiti is an active and passionate “wise woman”. In 2005, she trained for and began a cross-country trip on a recumbent bicycle, to celebrate coming into her 60th year. Shortly into her trip, her cargo carrier and bicycle jack-knifed, throwing her into oncoming traffic and causing a compound fracture of her leg.
She dragged herself to the shoulder. Her bike, still in the middle of the road, fortuitously alerted a trucker who rescued her. Questionable surgery left her leg torqued, crooked, and painful. Her estranged family refused to allow her to convalesce at their home.
She requires a knee replacement, and has some instability in walking. A fall in March fractured her left knee and right elbow. Physical Therapy was started but then revoked due to "system ineligibility". She has no health insurance, and receives only a small Social Security check. She worked at a part-time job to do her best to make payments for her medical care, but she has been placed in collections.
A few weeks ago, Nefertiti had found a place to stay temporarily while she tried to catch up. Among other things, she assisted in painting canvas labyrinths.
On Dec. 2, she lost her balance and fell down a flight of stairs, breaking her hip. She had surgery, and “celebrated” her 63rd birthday in the hospital on Dec. 3rd.
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