Benefit Fundraiser for Recovering Teen

Life has changed a lot over the past six weeks for two local teens who survived a fatal car crash in Saucier back on Christmas Day. Family, friends and our community have rallied with and behind the two survivors as the long road to recovery continues. News 25’s Kristen Durand reports.
Emily Oliver’s Aunt Jenny Bosarge said, “Strongest 15-year-old I’ve ever met.” And those who know Emily Oliver would agree, especially as the feisty teen recovers from back surgery, a collapsed lung and many other injuries from an awful car wreck on Christmas night. The wreck also injured her best friend, Andrea, and took the life of her sister’s soon-to-be fiancé. Emily escaped with her life but doctors say the chances that she’ll ever walk again are slim. Family members tell News 25, if anyone can beat the odds, it’s Emily. “She has definitely been a fighter. She’s come through so much from the day this happened through now and she just keeps that pretty smile,” said Jonnine Fisher, Emily Oliver’s aunt. “Very determined for a 15-year-old. She is the type of person that if you tell her she can’t do something, she’s going to do it a hundred times more just because you said she couldn’t,” said Bosarge.
Friends and family members have pulled together during this tragedy. While Emily’s mother is at her daughter’s bedside in another state, other relatives help out here on the home front, standing on the front lines with fellow prayer warriors, hoping for yet another miracle. “Our community is fabulous, let me start by saying that,” said Fisher.
As evidenced by the time and effort that’s been put into a benefit fish fry on February 20th, proceeds will help with Emily and Andrea’s medical costs. As Emily continues to recover, medical bills are mounting and new needs are unfolding, like the add-ons the family home will need to accommodate Emily’s wheelchair when she returns. “We’re hoping that we have a great community turn out and raise enough money to help meet some of these needs,” said Bosarge.
While Emily has come a long way since that foggy Christmas night, her family says she still has a long road ahead of her but she has a lot of fight left in her and they’ll be with her every step of the way. “We love you and we’re here for you and we can’t wait for you to come home,” said Bosarge.
The fish fry is set for Saturday, February 20th at the Saucier-Lizana Road 361 Shelter from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Plates are $8 each.

[mappress mapid=”2169″]