A recent vacation turned into a nightmare for Cierra Stockard, a Black woman from Nashville, Tenn., who found herself in a dire dolphin situation while visiting Jamaica. What was meant to be a fun-filled family trip took a serious turn when an unexpected incident with the animal left her injured and struggling to return home.
While enjoying her time in Jamaica, Stockard decided to swim with dolphins, creatures often celebrated for their friendly demeanor. However, her experience quickly turned dangerous. In an interview with WKRN, she recounted how one of the dolphins unexpectedly lifted her into the air, resulting in a fall that caused her to land on the animal’s dorsal fin.
“It just felt like I got into a car accident,” Stockard described, emphasizing the suddenness and severity of the incident. The impact left her in excruciating pain, with tears streaming down her face as she grappled with the injury.
Injuries and emergency surgery
The blunt-force trauma from the fall led to a significant hematoma, a localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, which Stockard described as being the size of “three apples.” This injury necessitated emergency surgery, leaving her terrified about her future and the possibility of not seeing her two young daughters again.
“We need her home because this is just not a good circumstance,” her aunt, Kimberley Watkins, expressed, highlighting the family’s distress over the situation.
Challenges in returning home
Despite being in relatively good spirits post-surgery, Stockard faced significant challenges in returning to the United States. Her insurance does not cover international emergency travel, which has compounded the family’s difficulties. They are now faced with the daunting task of arranging a medical flight back home, which has been quoted at an exorbitant $45,000.
In response to this financial burden, Stockard’s sister, Nevaeh Garton, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds for the emergency medical flight. Garton expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “At this point, we just want her home to her babies! We’ve looked into everything to see what’s the best safe option for her.” As of March 25, the campaign has successfully raised $27,000 of its $30,000 goal, but the family is still in need of support.
The community’s response
The outpouring of support from the community has been heartwarming, with many individuals stepping up to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign. This situation highlights the importance of community solidarity, especially in times of crisis. The family is hopeful that with continued support, they will be able to bring Stockard home safely.
Update: She’s back in Nashville
Here’s what Stockard posted on her Facebook page on Tuesday:
