Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
October of 2020 was the month that would change Samantha Roberts' life forever. On October 7, she was involved in a catastrophic motor-vehicle accident near her home in Jefferson County when she ran off the edge of the road and lost control of her vehicle. The wreck nearly killed her, which would have left her two sons without their mother. Roberts, a resident of Lamont until the age of 12, moved to Monticello in 2004, and graduated from Aucilla Christian Academy in 2010. She is the daughter to the late Eileen and Thomas “Sam” Roberts. She tragically lost her father in 2014 and her mother just two years after in 2016. With limited familial connections, Roberts asks for help from the community.
Roberts was on a ventilator for four days after the crash, and coded several times. It was unclear in the first few weeks if she would pull through, but miraculously, she survived. The devastating crash totaled her car beyond recognition and left Roberts without full use of her legs or arms. A new quadriplegic, she has been in a rehabilitation center in Mount Dora, working hard to get strong enough to return home to her sons, Brayden, age nine, and Titus, age five. Doctors have told her that recovery is going to be a slow process, and while the chance is very slim, there is a possibility that Roberts may someday regain the use of her legs again. Currently, she has varying levels of sensation all over her body, and is able to make some reaching movements with her arms, but has extremely limited use of her hands. “I suffered a fractured spine, and had to have surgery to help repair the damage in places in my neck and back.” Roberts stated. “I also had what the doctors called a “traumatic brain injury,” as well as a fractured rotator cuff. Movement is pretty painful, so I have to be really careful. I can pick up no more than half a pound or so safely.”
It is already exceptionally difficult to be a single mother of two in the best circumstances, but Roberts, age 28, faces great setbacks to overcome for her family. She has created a GoFundMe in the hopes of paying some of her medical bills as well as making some changes to her home that will make life at home with her boys possible for her. “My biggest obstacle right now is getting a motorized chair and getting a ramp installed at the house,” says Roberts, who is currently using one of the chairs from Neulife, which she is unable to take with her. “My most important goal is just being able to get the house to the point where I can come home to my boys. Being able to be with them again is very important to me; they are my number one priority and concern.”
Her sons are currently being cared for by Roberts’ best friend, who is the boys’ aunt and is the sister of their father, in the home that Roberts inherited when both of her parents passed away. “Any help you can give, no matter the amount, will help me get back on my feet to care for my children, which is my primary focus.” says Roberts. The home needs repairs for her wheelchair to fit in the doorways, and the bathroom needs alterations so that she will be able to use it. She needs a hospital bed, motorized chair and a ramp for her wheelchair installed so she can have regular access to her home. She also will require an at-home nurse to aid in her recovery care.
Due to COVID restrictions, Roberts has hardly been able to see her sons since the accident. “They were able to visit in April, and that was the first time since the accident in October.” she stated. Roberts has only been able to see her children three times total since the accident, the latest being last Saturday, July 9, to celebrate her eldest son turning nine years old. The distance and situation has been difficult for the family, but has been especially hard on birthday-boy Brayden. Being able to get the changes made to the house will allow her to move out of the rehabilitation center in Mount Dora and back home with her children, where she can be there for them while she continues to make efforts in her rehabilitation to get stronger and stronger.
The wreck in October involved no other vehicles and no other passengers were in the car. Roberts admits that while the entire situation was terrible and traumatic, she is grateful no one else was involved. “I am so grateful, and really blessed just to be alive, and was relieved to learn that no one else was hurt or involved.” Roberts’ car veered off of the road and hit the treeline before catching fire. A neighbor helped put her out the fire, saving her life.
Emotionally, Roberts is adjusting to her new life and says that, while some days are harder than other days, she is blessed to be here and just wants to go home and be with her children. “There's no guarantee, as a lot of things are still uncertain, but I am really hopeful to be able to come home by August or September.” Tera, the president of Neulife helped Roberts set up a GoFundMe page in the hopes of getting her the assistance she needs.
Monticello is often known for its generosity and unmatched sense of community and assistance for those members of our town in need. This mother is asking for assistance and donations be made to her GoFundMe page. You can make a donation by visiting the fundraising page: http://gofund.me/5558bb24.
Every little bit helps. Let's go, Monticello!
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