Thursday, July 28, 2011
About a month ago Janet Wargo’s brother was in a terrible head-on collision in Tennessee. Scott, Janet's brother survived with massive injuries. His passenger regrettably did not survive. Following is Janet’s account of what happened to her brother and his prognosis.
On July 5, at 11:30 am my brother Scott was driving home to Nashville after spending the 4th of July weekend with some friends. He was driving his 88-year-old friends Mercedes and his friend was in the car. They were traveling on interstate 24 near Murfreesboro, Tennessee when a woman traveling in the opposite direction lost control of her car, crossed the median and hit Scott head on. It took nearly 2 hours to extract Scott from the car. He and his friend were airlifted to Vanderbilt trauma center where Scott underwent two separate surgeries and spent 11 days in the hospital. Scott suffered badly broken bones in both legs. His left femur was repaired with a plate and he also has pins to repair broken bones in his left foot. It will be 3 or more months before he can bear weight on that leg. The tibia in his right leg is broken in two places and was repaired with a rod. The fibula was also broken in two places and is expected to heal on its own. He will be able to bear weight on that leg sooner since the rod provides better structural support. But plastic surgery was required due to trauma in the area of the tibia break exposing bone, which required muscle to be pulled around the area and a skin graft. It will require a second surgery in a couple of weeks.
Recovery will take a long time and the final outcome is not known. With small improvements every day Scott is very hopeful and his spirits are very good. He is up in the wheelchair about an hour a day. He still requires 24-hour care and so far, my sister and I have been providing the care.
The small architect firm Scott works for has suffered through the economic down turn and has gone from 12 employees to 3. The bookkeeper let the health insurance payments lapse and they were canceled a few months ago so Scott is uninsured. The firm continues to try and keep their head above water.
A friend of his built an amazing wheelchair ramp, a neighbor Scott has never met is mowing his grass through the end of the year, a work acquaintance is helping buy groceries, another neighbor is cooking and bringing food, another researched wheelchair transportation for us ... heartwarming.
All that being said, Karen Sherman and I decided to help Janet’s brother in whatever way we can and we thought you all may want to do the same. Scott has no idea how long he will be home recovering or even if he will have a job when he's able to work again. With no insurance, money is what is most needed. If you feel compelled to help, please consider a donation to help offset costs with groceries and everyday living expenses. I can’t imagine having my brother so far away and not being able to help him so maybe this will cushion the pain and worry Janet is feeling right now; knowing we are there for her and she is also in our prayers daily. Whatever amount you would like to donate would be greatly appreciated. Your donation can be mailed to Jill Zeitz 3904 Edgerock Drive Austin, 78731. We plan to give Janet a lump sum check in the next month. Please pass the word through our friends and tennis playing community.
Karen and I will sign a card with everyone’s name on it that donated unless you would like to be anonymous. Please note that on your check. Also, all donations will be strictly confidential.
Thanks again for helping Janet and her brother. I know she will never forget our efforts to make life a little less worrisome while Scott concentrates his energy to literally getting back up on his feet.
See you on the courts!!
Jill and Karen
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