03 February 2024 , 07:00
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A 27-year-old woman who hit a tree while airborne at 60mph suffered a traumatic injury due to icy conditions on the slopes of Vermont and nearly lost her leg.
Courtney Cosentino suffered a compound fracture (open fracture) of the tibia and fibula just below her right knee, a compression fracture of vertebrae T7 and T8, a sprained right hand along with swelling and bruising, according to a fundraiser started by her sisters Corinne and Chloe.
The seasoned skier's leg was nearly severed in the accident leading to intense blood loss, muscle and nerve damage and the possibility of above the knee amputation.
Surgeons were thankfully able to close her wound without a skin graft and stabilised the bone with an external fixator. According to the fundraiser: "She has stitches nearly 360 degrees around her shin/calf and the external fixator device supporting her from her femur to her ankle. After 4 days in the hospital, she is home safe with family until her next surgery to remove the ex-fix and permanently insert a rod into her leg."
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She had been skiing for years (Getty Images/Westend61)This terrifying accident has left New Yorker Courtney facing a lengthy recovery, and unable to work. After her second operation, her sisters to support her by taking the stress off medical bills, therapy bills and lost wages away, particularly as she has found herself without health insurance and is looking at between 3 and 6 months off work.
Courtney, who celebrated her birthday just a month ago, on the 1st of January, is the manager at Stretch Zone and an Orange Theory fitness coach, both jobs which require much physical activity.
Having skied for 20 years, the accident came out of nowhere for Courtney. The University of Albany alum was enjoying a ski trip with friends when conditions changed, leaving her life totally flipped on it's head.
To donate to her fundraiser click here.
According to her sisters, "she is a devoted, empathetic, and kind friend, sister, and daughter. She is the type of person that exudes love and good intentions. Being the oldest of four siblings, she is always looking out for our safety and well-being, so now it is our time to care for her".
The fitness professional has over 12.6k followers on Instagram, where she posts a range of lifestyle and travel content and her sister Chloe posted the fundraiser on her account on the 28th of January. In just three days, the fundraiser has raised an impressive $33,835 to support the family.
A donation of $1,500 was given by the Stretch Zone Miller Place practice where Courtney is the general manager.