An Oregon woman’s dreams of a new beginning were shattered when she was left paralyzed from the waist down following a freak accident involving a piano.
Danielle Drummond, aged 28, had recently moved to the Beaver State from Ohio and was assisting her friend in moving the instrument when the unthinkable happened.
The heavy upright piano slipped from her friend’s grip and landed on top of Drummond, causing severe damage to her spinal cord.
Drummond was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery.
Upon examination, doctors discovered that the accident had severed her spinal cord, rendering her paralyzed from the waist down.
In an emotional statement to WOIO, Drummond admitted, “I’m trying to keep like in high spirits because I know this is my life now, but it’s hard.” Despite the setback, she remains determined to rebuild her strength and continue with physical therapy as needed.
The aftermath of the tragic accident has presented numerous challenges for Drummond.
As a result of her injuries, she will require extensive rehabilitation and a home health aide.
Furthermore, her current living situation presents additional difficulties as she resides in her van with her dog, Lotus.
Being new to Oregon, Drummond does not have any family members nearby to provide care for her.
Returning to her native Cleveland seems unfeasible in her current condition due to the logistical complexities of transporting her medical supplies and enduring a lengthy trip by car or airplane.
In an effort to help, Drummond’s older sister, Rosie Hayne, set up a GoFundMe campaign to support her loved one in finding appropriate housing and covering medical expenses.
Hayne expressed her heartache over the situation, writing, “Our hearts are completely broken.
My baby sister means the world to me.” She revealed that Drummond fractured her T11 and T12 vertebrae – the two lowest vertebrae in a person’s Thoracic spine.
During surgery, doctors also performed a fusion “from T10-L2” to stabilize her spine.
In an update on May 1st, Hayne shared that Drummond is navigating the hospital wheelchair well but still requires one of her own and a suitable place to live.
Drummond’s positive outlook remains intact as she focuses on what she can do in her current situation.
Though she acknowledges that walking may not be feasible for her in the foreseeable future, she remains hopeful for potential advancements in medical technology that could one day grant her the ability to walk again.