Nationwide — Cierra Stockard, an African American woman from Nashville, Tennessee, is recovering in Jamaica after a dolphin swimming accident during her spring break vacation. The fall caused significant injury, and her family is now working to bring her home.
What started as a dream vacation quickly turned into a nightmare when Stockard fell off a dolphin, landing on its dorsal fin. The impact caused a large hematoma, and she was rushed to a nearby hospital.
“It felt like I got into a car accident,” Stockard told WKRN. “It’s like you’re going into a cheerleading position — like you’re a flyer on top of the pyramid. They just push you through the water and it’s like you’re gliding through water.”
Stockard underwent emergency surgery, fearing she might never see her young daughters again. She also battles sickle cell anemia, which complicates her condition.
Her family, including her aunt and sister, are in Jamaica with her, concerned about the quality of her care and the high cost of a medical flight back to the U.S. that her insurance won’t cover. Despite some help from the embassy, Stockard’s family has been handling most of the logistics themselves.
Stockard has undergone two surgeries and remains in pain but is said to be in good spirits. A GoFundMe has been set up to help with medical expenses and transportation costs. It has so far raised nearly $30,000.
