Addi's story

We didn't name our outreach Addi's Miracle for any reason outside of the fact that Addi's survival is medically speaking, a miracle.

On December 20th, 2022 Addi was looking at Christmas lights at a church with her Daddy and 2 of her older Brothers. What should have been an exciting time quickly took a turn when Addi pulled her hand from her Daddy and in just enough time for my Husband to reach out for her and call her name, Addi was struck by an SUV driven by a woman that was texting and driving.

The impact of the vehicle sent Addi flying over 100 feet causing several life threatening injuries and stopping Addi's heart. We consider ourselves incredibly blessed and covered by God's grace. Addi has had angels surrounding her from the moment her incident took place. I am always leary to call these situations "accidents", as driving distracted is a conscious decision, not a mistake. 

Addi's top injuries included an atlanto occipital injury, broken c1 and c2, torn c3 and c4, a fractured skull and a severe traumatic brain injury later labeled a grade 3 diffuse axonal traumatic brain injury.

We were told that Addi only had a 1% expected survival rate. We were told "We have kids brought in with less injuries and they don't survive."

She survived though! For every "She won't." God made a way and she said "I can!"

18 months after we brought Addi home from inpatient acute rehabilitation, heading home after her day of therapies, we were rear ended by a young man...you guessed it....Texting and driving. Addi sustained something called "Secondary impact syndrome."

That sparked our curiosity...What is the pedestrian injury and fatality rate in our state and across the US? How many are children and or teens? How big of a problem is distracted driving in Arizona? How big of an issue is it across the United States? 

I couldn't believe what I was reading. I felt the calling immediately. There are several issues at hand. Not only did we see a need for education and awareness but there is an equally desperate need for TBI awareness within communities and without a question of a doubt I felt the pull to educate myself so that in turn could offer advocacy & support care not only for families that have endured a traumatic incident leading to themselves or a loved one to life altering injuries and even unfortunately fatalities.

We knew first hand the way that we felt when Addi was traumatically injured, was unlike anything we had ever felt before and we wanted to do anything and everything in our power to show other family members and loved ones that someone understands and is there to walk with them. At any point of their journey!

We have a dedicated page chalk full of traumatic brain injury education over on our "TBI awareness" page" , To read about Addi's story and her journey in full as well as additional updated important information regarding traumatic brain injuries over on our "Pause" blog linked - HERE- be sure to check our blog often if this is a topic that matters to you.

We now have two different private groups on Facebook available to anyone who could benefit from joining them. Both of these groups were set up as private to assure that we all have a safe, private place to receive the support needed.

If you are a caregiver to a loved one who suffered traumatic injuries, like a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, etc and you could use some extra support please click HERE to join Addi's Miracle Foundation Caregiver support group!

If you are a family member, loved one and/or friend of someone that has lost a loved one due to a distracted driving incident, we invite you to join the Survivors Against Distracted Driving Healing Hearts grief support page. You can do so by clicking HERE!