A neighborhood walk to look at the snow nearly cost a Cobb County woman her life, according to police. A tree limb struck Jennifer Lane in the back of her head and back, causing her to be paralyzed from the waist down.
While Lane recovers, her community is rallying in support, offering both prayers and financial contributions to help her family.
“I am praying that God will provide complete healing and restoration to Jen,” one person posted on an online fund-raising page. “I am also praying for comfort, strength, and encouragement for her husband and three sons.”
Atlanta weather: How much snow fell in metro Atlanta?
The unanticipated winter storm brought several inches of snow to metro Atlanta late last week. And Friday afternoon, Lane was walking with her husband and youngest child on a trail in the Legacy Park neighborhood, Officer Scott Luther with Kennesaw police said. The three had stopped on a bridge to take a picture of the snow when the limb fell, first hitting the bridge rail.
“That’s when the tree limb fell and hit her,” Luther said. “If the rail wasn’t there, it may have hurt her even worse or killed her.”
A family member declined an interview, but shared Lane's story on an online GoFundMe page. Lane, who home-schooled her three sons, hopes to continue the schooling when she is able to return home, according to the fund-raising page. Her oldest son is a student at Kennesaw State University.
“Jen has a long road to recovery and will move to a spinal rehabilitation center when her other injuries improve and she is stable,” the GoFundMe page states.
The storm Friday and Saturday dumped nearly a foot of snow in the northwest suburbs, bringing down numerous trees and power lines while leaving thousands of customers in the dark for days.
On Tuesday, a wind advisory was issued for the metro area after wind gusts reached 35 mph, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz. Trees weakened by the weight of ice and snow from the recent storm could fall due to strong winds, Nitz said.
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