The woman featured in the three-day Arizona Daily Star series “The Good Samaritan” says she’s overwhelmed by readers’ responses to her story.
As of Friday, a GoFundMe account created to help Norma Santos Trujillo with medical expenses was at $42,631 — up from the $15,000 the fund was at before the stories were published.
“It means the world to me,” Norma said of the response. “I never thought that my story would impact the community.”
Since the April 17 crash when Norma lost both of her legs while helping a stranded motorist, her family has relied on one income instead of two.
The Trujillo family includes Norma, 33; husband Michael, also 33; and three children: Josslyn, who is 11, and 3-year-old twins Kaleb and Dean.
The Trujillos have medical insurance, but they are facing expenses for items and services that insurance doesn’t cover. Norma is using a wheelchair she borrowed from HealthSouth Rehabilitation Institute.
After the series was published, Denny Scanlan of the Tucson Sunset Rotary Club reached out to Norma and said his group would like to buy her a wheelchair. He has spoken with her, and they are working together to make that happen.
Norma said she remains determined to continue getting better, to help others to realize that anything is possible, and to help people see the bright side of life.
“You’re allowed to scream, you’re allowed to cry, but you’re never allowed to give up,” reads a Facebook post she shared with her friends last week.
To read the full “The Good Samaritan series,” which was published on Dec. 29, 30 and 31, see: http://tucne.ws/goodsamaritan
To donate to Norma’s GoFundMe account, visit https://www.gofundme.com/for-norma-santos-with-love
