Corky Lee 'fortunate,' 'blessed' to survive accident

Fire alarms rang out when Kimball's main intersection became an accident scene on just after 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10.

Police reports state that Dr. Donald Gerner of Kimball was traveling west on Highway 30 and attempted a left-hand turn onto Chestnut Street at the stoplight.

According to the police report, Dr. Gerner did not see Cora "Corky" Lee, also of Kimball, on her orange RX8 Vespa-like scooter because the sun was shining very brightly in his eyes.

Corky, with her dog, Bella, was traveling east on Highway 30 when her vehicle was hit on the left side.

The Kimball Ambulance Service and the Kimball Police Department responded with assistance provided by the Kimball County Sheriff's Office.

"It was an accident," Lee said. "He didn't see me. He told the cop the sun was in his eyes and he didn't even see me. I thought he knew I was there and by the time I realized he didn't see me it was too late."

Lee was taken by ambulance to Kimball Health Services, where she was evaluated and sent to Regional West Medical Center.

Once at RWMC, more tests were performed and she was transported by air to Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colo.

"I received excellent care. Everybody's has been amazing," Lee said. "The rescue crew was amazing, they were amazing up here (Kimball Health Services), Scottsbluff was amazing. I have seen nor heard nor had the level of care I had (at Swedish Medical Center). I have heard people complain about medical care all the time, but I have had awesome care throughout."

Lee said that the ball of her femur shoved through the back of her pelvis and shattered the bones.

"So they took pins and plates and puzzled it all back together," Lee said. "Now I just have to wait for it to heal."

Lee is now back in Kimball, where she expects to recover quickly. She has set five goals for herself and she hopes to accomplish those in five days.

"Get in and out of bed, in and out of the house, in and out of the bathroom and in and out of the trailer. That's going to be the hard part, and dress myself," Lee said. "When I can do those five things I can go home, I figure. I don't know what they think, but that is what I know."

Though Lee is looking at weeks of recovery according to her doctors, she remains positive that she can hurry things along.

"I just have to learn to get around without putting any weight on this leg," Lee said. "I'm non-weight bearing on the left side for eight weeks."

Lee plans on continuing water aerobics once she receives the go-ahead from doctors but transport to and from the YMCA in Scottsbluff is a concern, she said, as is travel for follow-up appointments in Denver.

"One of my biggest concerns now is how I'm going to pay rent while I'm out of work," Lee said. "I won't see nothing from the insurance until it is completely settled."

Lee was glad she had made a decision to never ride anywhere without a helmet, a promise she made many years ago to a veritable stranger.

"Thank God I was wearing a helmet. This would be a whole different story. No law makes me wear a helmet, I am not getting on without one," Lee said. "When I had my tonsils out I was in the room with an 18-year-old that had been in an accident. She made me promise her I would never ever get on a motorcycle without a helmet, and I won't."

"I am really fortunate and truly blessed," Lee added.