To friends of Jen Cloukey

From: Erin Brophy
To: The friends of Jen Cloukey

Hi all,

I have gathered your email addresses from some old emails you were copied on from my sister, as I believe you are all good friends of Jen.

I just wanted to let you know about their recent car accident - and everyone's status, details follow:

My sister and her family were in a bad car accident on there return trip to Maine from spending the Christmas holiday in Virginia with us. Naomi (12) and Hawk (32 just Friday) are in critical condition at the Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine, while Jen (32), Elijah (10), Jonas (8), and Tamra (6), were all treated and released at the hospital closest to the accident, in Brunswick.

Hawk had back surgery today, they inserted a metal rod into his back. I have pretty spotty details on this, but sounds like he will recover, although he likely will not return to his old line of work, roofing. update: surgery went well, no smoking in the future or guaranteed arthritis, sedated now, they will try to move him to Rehab soon. He had 2 shattered vertebrae, and the bar fused them together. He also has a broken clavicle and ribs, which need to heal themselves.

Naomi is less stable. They are watching her lungs mostly, although she has laceration on her liver, a fractured pelvis, a bruise on her heart, and her back is broken in 3 places. Apparently the back breaks are not spinal, so she is not in danger of paralysis.

Jen broke her wrist and, the other kids had cuts and bruises. The boys both have cuts that have been stitched up. Jen and other kids are home, and Hawk's sisters are with them at their house, helping them to get around.

The accident was at the end of their 14 hour drive home, they were 10 minutes away from home. They are thinking the cause was black ice, or a faulty tire, but we're not sure.

Hawk has a lot of family in Maine, and Jen's church community has leapt into action and they are doing everything they can to help Jen with anything she needs help with, so that is a real comfort. I will probably go up there sometime over the next few weeks to visit and do what I can to help.

I just wanted to let you guys know, to please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

I'll keep you posted with updates when I have them.

Thanks and love.
Lets hope the new year brings good
things.

Erin Brophy