Jun 12, 2009 6:14 pm US/Eastern
Hit & Run Victim Won't Judge Suspect
HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) ―
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The victim in the car on the top of the picture became trap after a hit and run driver caused this accident on State Road 7.
CBS
Jo-Ann Salzlien is able to laugh these days, even as she's re-learning how to do the most basic things. Even putting on her socks is challenging; she's learning to take care of herself after losing her left arm.
Jo-Ann's taking it step by step at the Rehabilitation Institute of South Florida at Memorial Regional Hospital South. She's been in the hospital since last month when a hit and run driver left her for dead.
CBS4's Ted Scouten asked her, "What do you remember about that day?
"I don't remember anything about that day," Jo-Ann responded.
Jo-Ann's arm was crushed when her car flipped over. Criminal law student Jocelyn Glinton is accused of just leaving her there. "It had to be a true nightmare for her!" said Salzlien. Despite losing an arm, suffering a brain and neck injury and turning her whole world upside down, Jo-Ann says she understands why Glinton took off: because she had no insurance and was scared. "I don't judge her," revealed Salzlien, "As a matter of fact, I could probably sit down and like her."
Jo-Ann's doctors are amazed by her progress. Friday, they delivered the news she's been waiting to hear, "I think probably she'll be home, maybe with in a week or so," said Dr. Alan Novick. When Jo-Ann heard that, she began laughing and her eyes filled with tears as she beamed toward her daughter.
With plans to go home soon, Jo-Ann is also trying to figure out what's next. "I believe that God saved me, spared me," she said. "I'm being spared for something, not to sit around and wail about my arm or my whatever and I don't! It doesn't bother me."
Her next challenge will likely be trying to figure out how she's going to pay for an artificial arm and all the medication she's going to need. The woman accused of hitting her had no insurance and Jo-Ann's insurance will not cover everything. If you'd like to help, visit the
Neighbors 4 Neighbors website.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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