Amanda Martínez received the call that no mother ever wants to receive on the morning of September 3rd: her daughter Rosa Flores, 19 years old, had been trapped in the wreckage of a destroyed car in front of the Kendall campus of Miami Dade College, after being hit by a truck.
Since that moment, as she recounted to Telemundo 51, her entire life came to a standstill.
The young woman survived the accident, but she suffered serious injuries that have her in rehabilitation and dependent on constant care. Amanda, a single mother, had to stop working to take care of her, while medical expenses and the family's needs continue to rise. In light of this situation, a family friend organized a fundraising campaign to help them.
Three weeks in a coma and several surgeries
Rosa was traveling as a passenger along with two other people when the vehicle was attempting to turn into the campus and was hit by a pickup truck. The collision was so violent that the video circulated on social media.
The young woman was urgently transported in critical condition. "She had internal bleeding and in her skull, so they had to operate to drain the blood. She had bruises all over her body," Amanda described in statements collected by Local 10.
Rosa remained in a medically induced coma for three weeks and underwent several cranial surgeries.
"Seeing my daughter fighting for her life, not knowing if I would have her for Christmas, not knowing if I would be able to embrace her again... it was killing me inside. I wouldn't wish this on any mother, not even my worst enemy," she confessed.
Relearn how to walk, speak, and swallow
Today, Rosa is in a rehabilitation center with a feeding tube, relying on others to walk, speak, swallow, bathe, and move.
"She is a miracle. That she survived this impact is a miracle from God. Now she has to learn to walk, talk, swallow... things that are so simple for us, she has to learn to do them," her mother explained.
According to Amanda, the doctors explained that Rosa will need rehabilitation to regain those basic functions.
A tranquil life since September
Amanda is a single mother and had to give up her job to care for Rosa full-time, not knowing when she will be able to return to work.
"I can't work. My daughter needs help 24 hours a day, assistance for bathing, for eating, for everything, for moving. I don't know when I will be able to go back to work," she admitted.
In addition to medical and rehabilitation expenses, there is also the complete loss of income, which has further complicated the family's situation.
"I am still traumatized. I don't know what a bed is, what a home is, or what a home-cooked meal is. Since September 3, my life has been on pause. The world goes on, everyone has to work, go about their day. For me, everything is on pause; for me, everything has stopped," stated the young woman's mother.
How to help Rosa
A family friend, Rachel Palma, organized a campaign on GoFundMe on behalf of Amanda to cover medical, hospital, transportation, and family expenses, with a goal of $35,000.
On the campaign page, Palma described Rosa as follows: "She has a beautiful heart, a beautiful soul, and a smile that can light up an entire place. She has left a lasting mark on the hearts of those who know her."
As of the closing of this note, the campaign had raised 14,535 dollars in 84 donations.
The accident is still under investigation and the other occupants of the vehicle are out of danger.
The dreams waiting for Rosa
Before the accident, Rosa was starting her first year of university with the hope of working in medical imaging technology. She also taught herself to play the guitar and sang.
"My daughter is a girl who walks into any room and lights it up. She brings peace, joy, and is very sweet," Amanda said.
Her mother is confident that Rosa will be able to recover: "I know she deserves a second chance. She is a girl with a bright future ahead of her."
Amanda also took the opportunity to send a message to drivers: "Pay attention, let's not rush. It's better to arrive than to not arrive. We need to drive carefully."
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