“I’ve always loved working with my hands: pouring concrete, doing construction, etc. Some of my bosses were pretty strict. If I didn’t do what I was told, I would be fired. I was raising my kids on my own, so losing my job was not an option.

Later in my career, I joined my brother at a new company – I was so excited. One day while I was doing a delivery, I saw a car speeding onto the freeway behind me. The driver rammed into my van. I twisted my back and hit my head on the ceiling of the vehicle.

Because of the accident, I was taking 7 meds a day and needed to use a cane to walk. I had to leave my job. The other driver admitted to causing the accident – yet I never got compensated. I tried to reach out to my employer about this but he wouldn’t answer my calls.

I recently had a heart attack, and I worried that the accident had made my health worse. I felt so lost. That’s when a friend recommended that I check out Open Door Legal.

The staff was amazing. They treated me like I was a 100 when I felt like a 2. There, I learned that my license had been suspended after the accident. I was shocked – all this time I was driving I could have been pulled over and sent to jail. They got it reinstated and helped me win $10,000 in small claims court to cover the costs of the accident and my medical expenses.

Now that this is over I feel much calmer. I’ve started volunteering with the counselors in my apartment building. I help them check in on seniors and make sure everyone is happy and healthy. I really love it. It reminds me of my time in construction: you’ve got to put in the work to see results.”

Photography © Jona Bocari