Trinity

News On Trinity’s Amputation And Her Road To Recovery

Eric Wexelman

(PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA) Aug 5, 2022 — For those of you who have been following the situation with our 15-year-old daughter Trinity this is an update. Three weeks ago she was involved in a very serious accident UTV she was operating tipped over on its side and she got her arm underneath the roll cage bar and as the vehicle slid the damage to her arm was so extensive that they had to amputate her forearm and her hand. This was her left hand which was her dominant hand and She is beginning to practice with her right hand. Trinity is an amazing artist and she is determined to train herself to use her right hand to continue being an artist. She is also an avid cowgirl and she loves riding both recreationally and competitively. This is something that will add some challenges.

she would love to get back in the saddle immediately but the doctors are setting boundaries as her arm needs to heal. She went through 12 1/2 hours of surgery and skin graphs to preserve the area just below the elbow so that she can get a prosthetic in the near future. We’re hoping to begin that process within about two months. Unfortunately it is a very confusing process in determining what is going to most adequately meet her needs in the form of a prosthetic. We are talking with our insurance companies to determine the way to get her the best possible option. She is now at home and some of the lows have begun to kick in. There are sad days and they were happy days but overall her spirit is strong.

We learned yesterday that the skin graphs have not healed the way the doctors would like them to and so she will probably have to undergo additional surgery for that as well as surgery to prepare the arm for the prosthetic. Unfortunately the company that my wife works for have not been wonderful under the circumstances. My wife had been working from home but now they decided that she can’t do that anymore even though they are aware of this situation and so she’s had to take family medical leave which takes a big chunk out of her paycheck. I had just returned to work this week from an accident that had kept me out for a while at far less than regular pay.

To those of you who have sent cards and gifts and notes of encouragement we thank you greatly Trinity has enjoyed each and every card in item that has come in. It is uplifting to have a community that is so supportive around us. We did have a friend who decided to form a go fund me because of the massive amount of expenses associated with this situation and I am not used to being the one to ask for help I am always trying to be the one to offer help. In any event I am putting the link for the go fund me in here. We appreciate if you would share this with friends and family and again thank you all for your continued support. God bless you all and God bless El Dorado County and God bless the United States of America.

— From the New GoFund Me page —

Hi, my name is Jameela Gilmete, and I’m reaching out to everyone for an amazing family that truly could use our help. They are used to being the givers but are now in a position where they humbly are willing to accept any help offered.

The Wexelman’s teen daughter, Trinity, was in a tragic UTV accident that caused the loss of her dominant lower arm. She was riding in the UTV when it rolled, pinning her arm underneath and destroying her hand and forearm. Thankfully, a friend slowed the bleeding while emergency crews arrived on the scene. A life flight helicopter took her to UC Davis hospital, where she underwent 12.5hrs of surgery to save her arm. Unfortunately, the lower portion of her left arm could not be saved. Still, the surgeon worked a small miracle and was able to provide a significant portion below the elbow to be fitted for a prosthetic in the future. While Trinity is in the healing phase, it will be some time before she can get to that step, but being fiercely independent, she is looking forward to it. She’s learning to use her right hand for basic things that we take for granted, like writing, opening things, doing her makeup (like a pro already), etc.

With the advanced prosthetics of the future, her doctors are sure she will be fully functional, and with her tenacity, her family is confident this injury won’t stop her from doing the things she loves.

Before the accident, Trinity was very active in life. She was an avid horseback rider, competing in drill competition events statewide, she was an archer, a sport which will now require a prosthetic to participate in, and she was a talented artist. She can’t wait to get back in the saddle, and she’s learning to recreate art with her opposite hand. Her love of animals has always brought her comfort, so coming home from the hospital to her family ranch has helped her healing process.

We are all so lucky she is alive, and although she has a long journey of healing and challenges ahead of her, we’re grateful that she will still get to live a full life. Eric and Jamaica Wexelman have an abundance of gratitude for their child’s life, but they are also dealing with the financial ramifications of a devastating injury like this causes. Not long before this accident, Eric suffered a work injury that placed him on temporary disability until he healed.

Although he will return to work soon, current circumstances will cause even more financial struggle. Between lost wages during the hospital stay and having to stay home to care for Trinity, the unknown costs surrounding medical care and the prosthesis journey, possible future surgeries, and rehabilitation needs, the Wexelmans need our help.

Thank you for supporting this astonishing teen girl, Trinity, and her family during this difficult transitional time.

GoFundMe