Tara Jones

On June 14th, our lives changed forever. My 11-year-old daughter was riding an electric scooter with her best friend — two young girls, full of laughter and dreams. In an instant, that joy was shattered when they were struck by a car.

Her best friend lost her life that day, and we will never stop carrying that grief. My daughter survived, but her journey has been anything but easy. She suffered a traumatic brain injury, endured multiple surgeries, and recovered from many broken bones — including her femur. She has had to fight every single day just to heal, just to keep going.

It has been heartbreaking to watch her struggle, knowing how much was taken from her, and yet at the same time, it has shown us her strength. She is brave. She is determined. She is still here with us — and for that, we are grateful beyond words.

This has not only been her fight, but our family’s fight. Every day brings new challenges, new fears, and new hopes. We’ve learned that life can change in a second, and that tomorrow is never promised.

We honor the memory of her best friend, and we walk beside my daughter as she continues to recover. Her strength, her courage, and the love and support around her are what keep us moving forward.