It's a miracle they both survived.
A Duncan woman has started a fundraiser for her two close friends Jauff and Nadia Romani of Mission, B.C. who were involved in a serious motorcycle crash while visiting her earlier this summer.
According to fundraiser organizer and Nadia's best friend Lisa Taylor-Billwiller, the crash happened on July 24 on Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge when a Hyundai SUV hit the couple head on. The crash also involved a Tesla, and a GMC Sierra truck. They were both hospitalized with serious injuries.
“This was in no way their fault, they were at the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Taylor-Billwiller. “Their injuries are extremely serious and extensive and will involve a very long recovery.”
Taylor-Billwiller said Jauff, who suffered a punctured lung, a concussion, fractures to the skull, ribs, shoulder and vertebrae in his back, also had to have the left side of his face reconstructed.
“Jauff has many broken bones but is able to now walk,” said Taylor-Billwiller. “He is now at home and his parents are helping him with daily tasks and driving him to his occupational therapy and all other appointments.”
Nadia, who suffered from a punctured lung, and already underwent surgery for a ruptured aorta is expected to be in hospital for several more months. Her pelvis and hips were broken, and she had to have rods put into her hips to hold her together. Her spine was fractured in multiple spots, and she also endured injuries to her collar bone, foot, ribs, and her brachial plexus was torn. Since the crash she has been moved to a hospital closer to home to be near family.
“Nadia cannot use her right side as of yet, and is not able to walk or sit up,” said Taylor-Billwiller. “She was in the ICU for two weeks then transferred to a ward, and relies a lot on the care of family in the hospital as the nurses are too busy. She has been described as a miracle, it's unbelievable that she’s alive.”
Taylor-Billwiller, who has been best friends with Nadia for more than 30 years, said they would FaceTime every day while working in their gardens, and Nadia, who runs Happy Days Doggy Daycare with Jauff back in Mission, loved playing with all of her dogs.
“We have raised our kids together,” said Taylor-Billwiller. “She is my children’s and grandchildren's auntie Nadia, we even have one another tattooed on each other.”
Since the crash Taylor-Billwiller has been providing social media updates on how the animal loving couple of 15 years have been recovering. Since it may be a year until Nadia can walk again the couple were forced to close their doggy daycare business which was their main source of income.
“It will be some time before they are both strong enough to work again,” said Taylor-Billwiller. “Their home has many, many stairs, and many modifications will need to be done in order for Nadia to come home, but it’s too early to tell when or how that will come about.”
A goal of $50,000 has been set for the fundraiser that Taylor-Billwiller has set up for her long-time friends. Money raised will go towards everyday living, their mortgage, bills, food, animal care, medical equipment and any modifications that may be necessary at the house for when they are able to come home to recover. Those who are able to give can do so on the “Please help Jauff and Nadia through this terrible time” GoFundMe page.
“To everyone who has already donated we cannot thank them enough,” said Taylor-Billwiller. “Jauff and Nadia are amazing people, everyone who knows them knows that they would take the shirts off their backs to help others, and literally have. They love to help animals and people, saving everyone and everything. Now it’s our time to help them, they need our help.”
