Benefit set for couple injured in accident

Aug. 3--ASHEBORO -- An accident on June 2 has changed the lives of Deborah and Donald Garner. A benefit is being planned by friends to help them with their medical expenses and losses from time off work.

Jennifer Collins is involved in the hot dog dinner and silent auction to be held Thursday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Seagrove, 7931 US 220 Alt., Seagrove.

Collins said the accident occurred when the Garners were riding their four-wheeler in the Asheboro area. They hit debris and the four-wheeler turned over, sending both of them to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Donald had a lengthy stay in the hospital, requiring wound therapy for a hand injury. Deborah is undergoing speech, physical and occupational therapy, according to a flyer promoting the benefit.

Ginger Garner, daughter of Deborah and Donald, said she is thankful for the assistance of the community, calling the outreach "wonderful." She indicated that the help is necessary since her parents have to struggle to make their medical payments while being unable to work.

"You never know with our healthcare system if you're one car accident away from bankruptcy," she said. "People in the wealthiest country in the world shouldn't have to choose between medical bills and food."

Garner, who has been in the medical field as a physical therapist for nearly 25 years, said she can only hope her parents' trial will "create awareness that our healthcare system is not very healthy. It can change your life or bankrupt you."

What's significant about her parents' medical conditions is that they're both self-employed. "If they can't work, they don't get paid," she said. "They can lose everything."

She said her father is a mechanic so it's imperative that he have treatment for his hand injury in order to be able to work. But those special treatments may or may not be covered by his insurance, she said.

According to Collins, Donald Garner had a lengthy stay in the hospital during his recovery and has had a couple of surgeries.

Deborah Garner, who for many years was a sales representative for The Courier-Tribune, is the proprietor of Art by Deborah and deals in multimedia art. "She's at home working to get back to normalcy," Collins said.

She said the community in the Happy Hollow area was coming together to do the benefit for the Garners, who have lived there for years. "We want to help them with their bills and try to get some things going for them. We hope to see them back on their feet."

The hot dog plates will offer two hot dogs, chips, a drink and dessert, all for $5. The silent auction will include various items donated by sponsors. Organizers are also taking monetary donations.

For information, call 336-963-9150.

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