Fundraisers set for South Lake Tahoe woman who shattered leg in 20 foot fall

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On March 26, 2018, during a run down a chute at Kirkwood, Jen Dawn's life changed forever.

The 41-year-old South Lake Tahoe mother of two had completed one run down the sister chutes and was hiking over to the second when she slipped and fell 20 feet off of a cliff onto rocks and ice, landing on her right leg. The fall shattered that leg, lacerated her face and caused tooth loss.

Jen was taken to the ski resort clinic by ski patrol and sent to the emergency room for her first surgery. She was told this was a "life-changing" injury, though she never understood how deep that statement went.

After her second surgery, Jen developed an infection. Over time there was so much damage they had to fuse the ankle. The avid rock climber has now had 11 surgeries and was facing amputation. Her surgeon referred her to a prosthetist to talk about amputation or other options. Enter ExoSym’s Leg Brace, one of those options. This is a device she could use and avoid amputation, walk pain-free again and live the ambitious and productive life she’s well known for.

Part of that pain comes from her walking around for four months on what turned out to be another broken leg.

Jen has a huge heart and does whatever she can to make the world a better place. She works as a social worker with our most vulnerable population. Through her job with El Dorado County Behavioral Health Jen provides crisis assessment for those who are suicidal or unable to take care of themselves. She is also at the Warm Room in the mornings for group therapy. Jen created the mentorship program for young climbers. She volunteers countless hours each week for local non-profits and even adopts black cats because "they are the least likely to be adopted."

Bills from the last two years, and the cost of the pending leg brace, are mounting. Jen couldn't work during the surgeries and is paying off $20,000 in medical debt. She is scheduled for a "dreaded" 12th surgery Monday, postponing getting the $10,000 leg brace for two months and prolonging the pain she's been living with. Jen says her pain level is on the scale of 5-7 all day, every day.

In the meantime, she is also raising her two daughters, ages 4 and 7.

Surgery means another two months off her leg and on crutches. The surgery is scheduled after this weekend as she will be one of the women staring in The Vagina Monologues at MontBleu Friday and Saturday (tickets for that event here).

To help financially there are a few ways made available for the community to assist with the new brace and medical expenses.

On February 26, Verde Mexican Rotisserie is holding a fundraiser for Jen from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds for the evening will go to help fund the $20,000 ExoSym Leg Brace. There will also be raffle prizes and live music by Acoustic Stash. If interested in donating a raffle prize, contact Jen at newjendawn@gmail.com.

Local artist Kelly Smith Cassidy is holding an online auction through March 29 for "Hope Valley Aspens," a one-of-a-kind welded copper and bronze creations with a value of $2,000. Tickets are sold in increments of five for $20. (See photo above of the art). Tickets can be purchased HERE. They will also be sold at the Verde fundraiser.

Thirdly is a GoFundMe page HERE. The goal there is $10,000 and over $7,000 has been raised.

To get the brace on her leg she'll have to travel to Gig Harbor, Washington and stay for a week to get fitted. The total cost of the fitting and rehab will run in excess of $10,000.