CHP Bartender's Car Flips Over Hart Bridge Ramp

[CityHallPub]

Hi  Everyone--

Sorry, I haven't updated this post in awhile, and it seems there was confusion about Zimri's condition during that time. She is not back at work, as some may have misinterpreted.

She has had bionic hip surgery, and is slowly recovering, but is alert and perservering in her hospital bed. Upon our last word with her, she's expected to remain in the hospital for at least another week. In the last week or so she has begun to update her progress on Facebook. You should be able to find her by searching Zimri Tapia, but you can't see her wall unless you add her as a friend.

Her family continues to thank everyone for their support. If you wish to donate to help with her extensive medical bills, you can here: http://weloveyouzimri.chipin.com/zimris-peace-of-mind-recovery-fund The site tracks how much has been donated already, as well.

We continue to pray for Zimri's recovery, and help her in any way we can. Thank you for thinking of her, and taking the time to comment!

[CityHallPub]

well it was the bartender who was working last Sunday who told me that

Hi!

Miscommunications happen, no problem. Thanks for asking about her! Please see my update on her current condition....

[Zimmy1219]

Good Morning Everyone.  This is Zimri, the bartender from CHP that had the car accident 7/17.  I first wanted to say THANK YOU to CHP because of their unconditional support. I definitely work for a fabulous establishment and love everyone like family.

I was sent this article by a friend last night and had mixed emotions reading this as I still lay here in my hospital bed. I was brough to tears by the well-wishes and hopes for recovery and also taken back by the near hearless tone of some.  I originally was just going to ignore it and just keep focused on more important things like being able to walk again. But like the true NY'er that I am and the fact that there isn't much to do to pass the time here at Shands, I feel the need to have a say.

To JAXMOVIEBUFF...you are definitely correct about CHP, they definitely come thru for their employees in times of need and tragedy. The owner has built a great establishment and always does his best to ensure everyone feels and acts like family.  I am proud to work there and plan to continue working there for as long as I physically can.

In reference to my vehicle & lack of insurance: my main source of income is not CHP and I have been working in HR/Staffing/Recruitment for over 10 years so to finance a USED vehicle is not a major stretch. And just like most people in this country, the economy has had a major effect on my income and my previous employer that I worked with since I moved to Jax in 5/08 had 8 rounds of layoffs and unfortunately I was laid off in round 6. I was working part time since april for another company and was finally transitioned to a full time employee at the end of June with a 90 day probationary period before my employee benefits would kick in. So needless to say, i had no insurance coverage when the accident occured since I was still a few weeks shy of finishing my probationary period.

In reference to how the accident occured, I'm actually not quite sure. I was not speeding, I was not texting, i was not on the phone at all, i was not drunk or under the influence of anything. I work for the city and know better that to do anything that would cause me to lose my employment. Somehow something caused me to swirve  and lose control of the car and I scrapped a wall then went over the bridge and fell down and the car rolled over. I slipped from my seatbelt and slid to the passenger side of the car. I had to be cut out of the vehicle. 

I have no memory of the accident or anything for about two weeks. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not. I can't even imagine vividly remembering the sight of my car flying through the air or the pain. I broke my left shoulder in two places, broke my left hip and pelvis, minor lumbar spine fractures, small skull fracture on my left side and bleeding in my brain. The memory loss could be due to the head injuries.  I did have surgery to repair my hip/pelvis and everything else will heal on its own.

I moved to Jacksonville in the spring of 2008 because I had gotten married to a US Marine. I thought that my life was about to have a new fresh start but hind-sight! My ex-husband got deployed and decided to start a new life behind my back. My divorce was officially finalized in 2010 and it was just a matter of dusting myself off an focusing on me. I decided to stay in FL instead of moving back to NY to try and make it on my own. I've juggled one FT job with two PT jobs in order to make ends meet, finish paying my divorce attorney, pay my bills and survive as well as still be able to financially help my mom back home.

Its September 3rd 10:54am and I'm laying here in my bed at Shands typing away into my iPhone with tears in my eyes because more than anything I WISH I was home or at work or bartending. I wish that WAS me someone  saw. I'm not from his city and don't know too many people and have no family here in town so I have mostly felt like a hostage day after day in this hospital and tend to get emotional at times because everything feels like a bad dream. I was ok one minute eating dinner and laughing with some friends and the next thing I know I wake up in a hospital room unable to walk with my hip and leg bandaged up and head stapled with no memory of anything and realizing about two weeks have passed by.  I'm in less pain today than I was in the beginning but I am aware that there is still quite a bit before I am 100% but despite everything I am thankful at the chance to continue living. The outcome could have been so different.  I am thankful for the friends I have made here that care about me and my family and friends back home that call/text/email me constantly to let me know I'm in their prayers.

All I can do is continue to get stronger both physically and mentally and come out on top. I can't let people's opinion or judgement of me...especially people who don't personally know me...affect me or my progress.  I would never wish for any of this to happen to anyone because I can't even describe the pain and stress I have been through trying to figure out what happened, how am I going to pay my bills, what about my job, when am I getting out of the hospital, when will I ever walk again....sometimes it's just too much for one person especially being so far away from family and friends but I know everything in life happens for a reason and God will never put me through something He didn't think I couldn't handle.

Thank You to everyone for all of your well-wishes, thoughts and prayers and Thank You CHP for your continued support. Even though the raffle and other attempts of financially helping me were not successfull, I know I will find a way and everything will eventually be OK...even if that means bartending 7 days a week for the next few years!!! My bionic hip should hold up!

Zimri

[Basstacular]

Zimri,

I just found out about your accident today by reading this thread and it truly just goes to show how precious life is.  I do not know you, but absolutely applaud the courage you seem to have and the level of class you just displayed in response to some of the negative things you may have read.  I will most certainly say a prayer for your continued recovery and wish you all the best in the future.

Clay

[RockStar]

Zimri,

I just found out about your accident today by reading this thread and it truly just goes to show how precious life is.  I do not know you, but absolutely applaud the courage you seem to have and the level of class you just displayed in response to some of the negative things you may have read.  I will most certainly say a prayer for your continued recovery and wish you all the best in the future.

Clay

Me too. Good luck and hang in there!

[Zimmy1219]

Thank you Stephen & Clay.  I know people judge and its human nature but I couldn't keep on reading those things without at least responding and giving myself a voice. I'm not a knuckle-headed teenager who did something stupid, I'm a grown woman in my 30's who unfortunately had a bad accident and now has to piece it all back together.  I don't ask for much despite how boring passing time at Shands can be. All I ask for is prayers so I can be discharged soon and hopefully when I can start walking again and can work you can all come have a meal and drink at CHP.

Thanks! Z

[Dog Walker]

Z,  You have a lovely name, a lovely face and, from your post, are a terrific person.  Shands might be boring, but you are in the right place for treatment of what you went through.  Hang in there!

You will be OK in the end so don't let the present worries about bills and such weigh you down.  Just concentrate on getting well.  The other stuff will take care of itself if you just take care of yourself.

[fieldafm]

Good luck with your recovery!

[Zimmy1219]

Thank you all again for your well-wishes!

Hope everyone has a funand safe holiday weekend.  Hopefully someone will sneak me in some bbq! 

zimri

[BridgeTroll]

I wish you the best... what an awesome first post!!  You have alot to contribute and I hope things work out for you!

[Zimmy1219]

Thanks! Not a bad first post for someone medicated with a head injury! My mom always called me hard-headed so I'm quite glad she was correct I just wanted to have a say in something that was pertaining to me especially when I'm reading things that were not correct on top of just the plain dumb heartless emails. I didnt want anyone to think that CHP would come to a foreum and put a post requesting help for an employee and it not be true or not 100% accurate and I'm back at work.

It's 9:53pm saturday night and I'm still laying here almost two months later in this lovely Shands pavillion bed wishing I had better plans for the weekend.

Hope everyone has a safe holiday!!

[CityHallPub]

Z-

This is Carla. I teared up reading your post. It hurts my heart that you were hurt by some of the posts here. I didn't know you very well, since I'm in and out of CHP so often, so your story brought to mind alot that I didn't even know. You are beautiful and strong, and my prayers are still with you, as well as countless others from those who miss your smiling face at CHP! I've been getting updates on you through Divina, Scott, Kay, your Facebook, and others in our CHP family. I'm so happy that you spoke out here. Hopefully it puts this horrific accident into perspective.

To everyone else here on MetroJacksonville, it's tough to publicize things like this and ask for help, but this is a tough road for Zimri, and we'll continue to do whatever we can to help. The donation account has been disabled. But if any of you are wondering how to help, I assume it's ok to message her here.

Thanks!