By Elizabeth Ramos decided to give back to the people who helped her after she was hit by a car more than one year ago by raising $800 for the Long Beach Memorial’s acute rehabilitation hospital.
Ramos sold identification tags for a recommended donation of $2 in front of the University Bookstore Thursday afternoon to raise money she said is needed at Long Beach Memorial’s acute rehabilitation center.
“They need new exercise equipment for speech therapy and occupational therapy,” Ramos said. “Those people who are at the rehab center are worse off than I was so I’m trying to give back to them.”
Ramos, who was put in a medically induced coma for approximately six weeks after accident, suffered a broken arm and leg in the accident. She said she also experienced brain swelling.
She said she wants to let other people know the importance of having identification at all times.
“I’m trying to raise awareness that you always have to carry identification,” Ramos said. “I wasn’t wearing any identification [when I got hit by a car] so my parents didn’t know [about my accident] for 24 hours.”
Staff, faculty and students stopped by to buy their own tags and wish Ramos a speedy recovery. Students tended to buy one tag, but most staff members purchased handfuls, something Ramos said she attributed to them having family members who could use an ID tag.
“I feel like they know their daughters and sons need some identification,” Ramos said.
Ramos said everyone should carry an ID tag, even when going to the gym.
“I feel that people always put their stuff in the lockers and then you don’t know who anyone is,” Ramos said. “They’re just that person on the treadmill.”
Melissa Gunawardena, a University Library administrator, purchased 14 tags for her coworkers, family and friends.
“For myself I can put it on my purse,” Gunawardena said. “For others, like my daughter, I can put it on her backpack.”
Sophomore sports psychology major Martin Lopez said he heard about the event and needed to stop by.
“Sometimes I’m running alone at night,” Lopez said. “You never know, it can happen to anyone. If a car doesn’t see you, that’s it.”
Last year, students partnered up with the Student Dietetic Association and the Long Beach State Athletics Department to host a similar fundraiser set up to help Ramos with her medical expenses.
Ramos said the rehab center, to which the money is going to, helped her adjust to life after her injury.
“I feel like I was really blessed and lucky that nothing happened to me,” Ramos said. “I mean, a lot happened to me—I was hit by a car, but I’m lucky enough to be alive.”
This blkg was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me.
Many thanks!