July 30, Naomi Parks was enjoying riding the sand dunes at Silver Lake State Park with her friend Seth, when their pickup truck overturned several times. Both Seth and Naomi were pinned in the vehicle to start, but Naomi was the one extricated by Hart Fire and transported to Mercy Hospital in Muskegon.
She couldn’t feel anything from her shoulders down.
“Seth’s parents were there with her the entire time, holding her hand,” says Naomi’s older sister, Elizabeth Keena. “It’s just kind of one of those things that happens to other people I guess. It was surreal.”
Naomi is now at Mary Free Bed in Grand Rapids. She still is not able to use her arms or legs. Her staff of nurses and doctors have become friends, helping her with rehabilitation. They are working on occupational therapy and physical therapy. Naomi remains optimistic with every bit of progress she gains.
“I can’t sit here and wallow. I have to get up. I have to try and make progress, not just for me but for my family,” says Naomi.
While Naomi continues to work and progress, her family is working on making the best life possible for her when she gets home. The family’s current home in Big Rapids is not wheelchair accessible, especially Naomi’s room. Elizabeth and her fiancé, Tony Teelfer, will sell their home and rent a family member’s home while they build a new one. Elizabeth says that was always the plan. It just happened sooner.
Elizabeth and her other sister, Carly Allers, have been dealing with the insurance company and taking turns driving the hour south to see Naomi. Both sisters quit their jobs, and their husbands are working to support the two households.
“Everyday there’s something that needs to be done,” says Elizabeth. “Whether it is going to hospital and learn how to take care of her or deal with you know the insurance or this or that like there’s always something to do. It’s just, it’s crazy.”
The recent changes to the no-fault auto insurance have been a struggle.
“At this point we’re kind of just trying to work around the fact that we may not get anything from car insurance,” says Carly. “Trying our best to just negate that completely and plan for the worst with that and just figure stuff out without the auto insurance.”
The family, friends and the community of Big Rapids have been very supportive of Naomi. A spaghetti dinner benefit at Sugar Creek Restaurant, in Big Rapids, was held Saturday, August 28. There was a large turnout with 100 percent of funds going to Naomi’s needs.
“They put on this whole thing for us and it was just so great to see all these people come together for Naomi and for us,” says Elizabeth. “Seth’s parents actually want to do a benefit once she gets out so that she’s able to actually be there and participate. We’re thinking the first weekend in November and hopefully Naomi will be home.”
“You’re like sunshine, Naomi, you don’t even know. You don’t have to meet anybody or talk to anybody you could literally just walk into a room and it’s your aura. It’s who you are. People just love you,” Elizabeth tells Naomi.
You can donate to help Naomi Parks’ recovery by clicking . You can also follow Naomi Strong on Facebook to see her journey.
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