Grandma Has Freak Accident While Taking Groceries to Woman’s Car

An Arizona grandmother was seriously injured in a freak accident at work. Years later, she is looking for help.

A few years ago, Lynn Knutson was working at a grocery store when she helped a customer bring their purchases to their car. She was injured when the woman accidentally dropped the back hatch of her SUV on top of Knutson’s head, she told local outlet KTVK.

Knutson sustained a severe brain injury from the incident. Meanwhile, the woman drove away, and Knutson said she has not heard from her since.

Now 63, Knutson is still recovering from the injuries she sustained from the incident, of which she has little memory. 

The grandmother said she has experienced headaches, slurred speech, memory problems, light sensitivity and difficulty walking since the incident, and has visited the hospital multiple times for treatment of her symptoms.

As a result, Knutson’s medical bills have been racking up, according to KTVK. Initially, some of her bills were covered by workman’s compensation, but she said her case was later dropped.

Now, Knutson is looking for help. She has started an online fundraiser through Help Hope Live, a website for “community-based fundraising for people with unmet medical expenses and related costs.”

On the website, Knutson said she recently returned from “yet another medical trip to Chicago,” where she met with specialized practitioners that she cannot access in Arizona.

“It’s a much longer process because I can only go to Chicago a couple times a year due to the expense,” she said in the description of the fundraiser.

Specifically, doctors are working with Knutson to restore her retained primitive reflexes, which have been “severely” impacted by her brain injury.

Knutson is also looking to be “assessed for Cervical Ligament Instability,” which she said is “a lengthy process.” One of her doctors said there are only a few doctors in the world “who perform the intricate and highly specialized treatment” that would cost her money out of pocket.

“Luckily, he can recommend one in Utah,” she said in the fundraiser description, “but that [is] still a daunting venture.” 

More than $3,800 has been donated to the online fundraiser. Knutson’s son Tyler has been moved by strangers’ willingness to help his mom, according to KTVK.

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“It’s always heartwarming to see people give out of their own pockets to help others,” Tyler told the outlet. “I would definitely like to see her get the funding she need to get treatment she needs because treatment is expensive. My hope is that she gets better, that’s what I ultimately want to see.”

Meanwhile, Knutson is taking things one step at a time.

“Each day, while a challenge, is an opportunity to actively practice gratitude,” she wrote on Help Hope Live.