The community is raising money for an 18-year-old from Guerneville who was paralyzed in an accident

Maisie Boland of Guerneville was just three days into her freshman year at Chico State University when a car accident left her paralyzed from the ribs down.

Now family, friends and community members in Sonoma County are supporting 18-year-old Boland and her family and raising money to support her recovery.

AND GoFundMe The page, set up by family and friends, has collected over 2,000 donations totaling over $217,000.

“Donations were made by friends, relatives and complete strangers,” said Maisie’s father, Shawn Boland. “These people do so many nice things. This is just amazing. It really restored my faith in humanity.”

He said that when she was young, the family nicknamed Maisie “Bird” and referred to her as their “Mini-Me” who grew up to be “extremely independent.”

“Our little bird finally left the nest only to break its wings,” he said.

Boland was one of five people in the car, which apparently swerved too fast and hit a boulder. The impact caused the car to overturn and Maisie was the only one to sustain serious injuries, her father said. An 18-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

After the accident, Boland spent months in hospital and rehabilitation centers, undergoing numerous surgeries to implant plates in her spine and have a pacemaker implanted.

Her father said that in a matter of moments, her life changed radically.

In late October, Boland was released home and is staying with her grandparents in Walnut Creek as the family home in Guerneville is upgraded to be more accessible to her motorized wheelchair. They are also installing an elevator – a project expected to cost tens of thousands of dollars.

“I don’t know how we would have done it without people’s support,” Shawn Boland said. “I don’t know if we would have even been able to keep our house if we didn’t have so much support.”

Shawn Boland said he is learning how to listen to Maisie’s needs and allow her to experience her full range of emotions.

“Be strong enough to let them out,” he said. “Be their safe place.”

Maisie’s recovery will be long, but her parents and brother are with her “around the clock” to support her, according to the GoFundMe page.

On Saturday, November 9 at Rio Nido Inn hosts the annual Chili Cook Off, and this year the money raised at the auction will be donated to the Boland family to support her recovery. The family plans to come.

“She is extraordinary,” Boland said. “Her strength through all of this is truly impressive. She’s better than me.

Contact staff writer Anna Armstrong at 707-521-5255 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @annavarmstrongg.