Heather Jackson, 19, of Biggs was seriously injured in a vehicle roll-over accident Saturday, September 12, 2009, on the Midway between Richvale and Durham, as the van she was driving left the roadway and rolled several times. Jackson worked for Cathy's Christian Cottage in Richvale and was transporting one of the residents to a wedding in Chico. The resident received broken ribs, but Jackson was trapped in the van. The accident happened at 1:50 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
Her injuries have caused paralysis from the chest down, with limited movement in her arms and hands. Her therapists think they can improve that movement. She is currently at a spinal cord injury rehabilitation center, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose. Jackson's spinal cord was not severed according to family members, but when her neck was broken, it stretched it severely causing doctors to speculate she will not walk again.
Jackson is especially well known in the athletic world of Biggs, graduating in 2007, and at Butte College where she excelled in athletics, becoming the pitcher for the Butte College softball team after a very successful softball career as a Biggs Wolverine. She received Honorable Mention for Butte College at the Golden Valley Conference for Pitching last year.
She is the daughter of Hortensia and Enrique (Rick) Jackson of Biggs and sister to Emily and Ricky Jackson. Her family is planning to hold fund raisers to help with the many costs associated with her care, including the cost of lodging for their stay in San Jose while she receives ongoing treatment. The first fund raiser will be held this Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Pizza Round-Up on Highway 99 at B Street in Biggs, with a percentage of the proceeds during the hours of 5 to 10 p.m. for diners at the restaurant being donated to the special fund set up at Bank of the West in Heather's name for medical costs.
For more information see www.caringbridge.org/visit/heatherannjackson.com where messages of best wishes can be sent for Heather.
