Please Help A Fellow Carrier In Need

Ventnor, NJ Letter Carrier Maureen DePrince (shown above with her husband Troy) is in need of our help.

Maureen, 38, a Letter Carrier for 13 years, was delivering her route in Ventnor, NJ (a shore town adjacent to Atlantic City) on July 24, 2006 when the unimaginable happened. She had just finished a relay and was behind her Postal mini van waiting for traffic to clear so she could enter the vehicle when she was struck by an "alleged" drunk driver. He hit her with such force that the van was pushed up onto the sidewalk, with Maureen pinned between the vehicles. The impact severed one leg, the other had to be taken later at the hospital. Off duty fire fighter Kevin Howarth happened to be passing by on his way to the beach when the accident occurred and was able to immediately start first aid and most likely he saved Maureen's life.

The driver of the car, Allan Miller fled the scene of the accident on foot but was quickly apprehended and has been charged with assault with a motor vehicle, vehicular assault while under the influence within 1,000 feet of a school zone, leaving the scene of an accident in which there is serious bodily injury, DWI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report an accident. He was lodged in Atlantic County jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, a judge later raised it to $100,000.

***Latest Update (8/26/06)***
Maureen is not yet fully awake.  She suffered several small strokes as a result of a rush of blood to her head from the trauma.  She is able to follow small, simple directions, squeezing  your hand (barely), she can nod her head, and stick out her tongue on command. She still has a trachea tube in her throat.   That's all  the progress for now.  Her legs are healing well, but now the main problems are neurological.  The doctors don't know how far she can recover.  She could stay the same, or completely recover, but no one knows.  Her recovery is measured in very small baby steps.  She will be moved to rehab next week if all goes well.  All told, doctors predict that it will be a year before she goes home.
8/30/06
Maureen is now at the Magee Rehab Center in Philadelphia. They are the best suited for all of her many needs and will provide a well-rounded program for the entire family. They will start with her neurological issues and then work on her limbs. The vision issue may be related to optical nerve damage but hopefully that can be surgically corrected.
8/31/06
I am writing with wonderful and positive news about Maureen! She was moved on Monday afternoon to Magee Rehab in Philly. A team of 12 wonderful therapists/doctors/case managers are responsible for her for the whole time she is in the rehab hospital. Yesterday was her first full day and she got a lot accomplished. Troy told us that she was dressed in regular clothes, sitting up in a wheelchair for most of the day, the trachea tube was made smaller so she could learn how to talk, her limb pumps were removed, she moved her left arm to commands, right arm is able to do some regular physical therapy, she spoke her first words "I need a glass of water" and "when can I go home?", she knew how many brothers and sisters she has! The team told Troy that she is a very determined woman who did everything that she was able to do. They feel with the progress that she showed today that a future home time would be in about 12 weeks. ONLY 3 months!!! We know not to get overly excited because all rehabs show some type of relapse but it was excellent news!!!
9/15/06
The Surf game was a big hit, with about 2,000 people in attendance. Through ticket and wristband sales, raffles and a bunch of mail carriers and clerks working a concession stand ( we got 10% of the concession profits if there were at least 5 people in the kitchen or on a register), we were able to raise about $7,900 for Maureen. At the end of the ceremonies, GM Greg Lynch of the Surf announced that he would like to make this a yearly event at Bernie Robbins Stadium! So stay tuned because the next Maureen DePrince Night at the Surf will be bigger and better and we'll raise even more money for her and her family.
Maureen continues to recover at Magee Rehab in Philly. She is awake and talking and taking visitors. She will have many months of physical therapy ahead of her, to adjust to her new life.
-Allan Miller was indicted on all charges and remains in the Atlantic County Jail.
10/1/06
Update from Troy DePrince
Maureen is still having a hard time remembering things, she recently had the trachea removed and is on normal food. She is given many kinds of medications to help her recover, she sleeps a lot now. She takes meds for anxiety, and other related medications that are used for Parkinson's and Alzheimer disease. She is very talkative when she's awake, all the wounds are healing well and she is scheduled for 10/10/06 at Wills eye for an exam. Hopefully we will have more news in the future. the therapy is going very good she is up to an hour of PT and OT along with speech therapy.
I would like to take a moment and say THANK YOU :-) all for keeping us in your prayers and all the support that everyone has given to the family. I would like to also say thank you to C&T, J, B, M, T, G, Ct, Jw, Mk, R, Hh, K&B, MK, for your support.
When I know more I will write.
Thank you,
Troy
10/15/06
Click Here for an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
11/20/06
Update from Troy DePrince
Sorry it has been a while since I have written to you. Things have been the same lately, she has what they refer to as socks on the stumps. These help with blood flow and strengthening the tissue. She is doing really well with OT and PT, the only major problem is neurological, short term memory is weak and she is confuses. Anxiety, memory loose, and sight are the priority now. Tom McClain, Ray Miller, and two other co-workers saw her last Wednesday, and had a great visit according to Christine (Toms Wife). Other than that, that's it.
I would like to thank you for keeping this site up, also for the tremendous support we still receive. I have talked to reen (Moe) about what people are doing, she always says " why are they doing this, I need to thank them". She misses all her co-workers and especially the residents that are her customers, she misses them so much and can not wait to get back.
12/4/06
Update from Troy DePrince
I would like to first say Thank you for everyone's support.
Her family had put together a Thanksgiving feast that was incredible. She had a wonderful time, you could see the joy on her face. Unfortunately the evening ended with a visit to Hanaman Hospital, She had fallen out of her chair a her head hit the floor. Her brother and I immediately picked her of the floor, she hit pretty hard. After a while the Doctor on call said, she wants to get a Cat scan of her head. To make a long story short she was OK and now is doing better. Unfortunately She has not regained her sight and her anxiety seems to worsen each day. Right now the target release date is the first week in January. She was given permission to have a pass for the Christmas Holiday, but it's still pending. I would love to have all her friends and co-workers see her. We talk so much about sitting on the beach and listening to the waves crashing on the surf. "Some day". Mostly her health is improving, wounds are healing, still talking about prosthetics and preparing her legs for them. If there are any other major changes I will contact you.
On behalf of Maureen (Moe) and myself have a safe a joyful Christmas and Happy New Year. God Bless.
-Troy
12/9/06
Click Here for an article from the Atlantic City Press
1/5/07
Maureen is scheduled to be released from Magee Rehab in Philly today. She will return home to be with her husband and pets - she can't wait!! She will continue Physical and occupational therapy on an outpatient basis at Betty Bacharach in Pomona.
1/12/07
Update from Troy DePrince
Just wanted to give a little update on Moe. She has been home for a week now and is doing well. On Monday the 15th she starts Rehab again at Bacharach, 3-4 days a week. She sees her family doctor tomorrow at noon. We had talked the other day and she is real concerned for her future. We still have no transportation but it is in the works. I have a meeting next week on the addition for the house. Takes a while but it is going good though. The Nurses at Magee said that they never saw so many cards in on room before. Thank you all for the cards, they helped tremendously while she was at Magee. We more things happen I will update you again, but thank you for the site. I will write to you soon.
-Troy
1/29/07
Update from Troy DePrince
When we left Magee on that rainy Friday January 5, it was very quiet. I was packing up all her belongings while she hung with the nurses and staff said their goodbyes. The staff is going to miss her they said, all the cards plastered all over the walls you could not tell what the room color was. The transport arrived and we just left nothing to exciting happen at this point.
We arrived at our house early afternoon to an awaiting nurse from Bayada, no balloons or banners. We did not really expect this, I do not really know if anyone knew when she was returning home. She was kind of quiet for the first few hours, our dog was pleased to see her, the cats could care less. We settled in, I unpacked her car and ordered Chinese food for dinner.
We are from the Gloucester County area originally, towns across the river from the Navy Base in Philadelphia. Her Parents are the closest other than her brother he's pretty close also. Other than that, it's quite a ride for others. We did not get many visitors before this happened, so I do not expect that to changed. I mean people have their own lives to live and their own problems to worry about.
Reen is having problems adjusting to her new life, she definitely hates the living arrangements. Our house is very small and the Department of Labor denied her the addition needed to be somewhat comfortable for her. They do not see the need to open up my house any. My house is about 20 X 40. We had plans of expanding our house or even talked about moving, I do not know what we are going to do now, I do know that Life for us is kind of on hold now. I have gotten some good advise from The postal organization ( employees and employee reps). Reen loved her Route her customers will be greatly missed by her, she talk so generously of all her customers and co-workers. I can't tell you how Reen feels, we do not talk much about the accident nor anything else. She just sits in her chair and stares forward trying to see something. Some people she will not be quiet all depends who it is she is talking to, she gets along well with all the nurses.
Many thoughts go threw my mind all day, it is not about me, I can go when I want, do what I want, she can't and that bothers me. I feel guilty that if I do anything that it is not fair for her and my spirits are just about at its lowest point ever. I just hope I do what people expect of me, I am by far not a perfect person. I can not explain what is going threw my head, I do know that I am depressed, lonely, confused. I only wish people do not forget how this happen and use better judgment when they decide to be out all night. This accident impacted Family members as well as the surrounding towns at the shore and post offices around the world.
We would like to thank EVERYONE for their support and prayers, I wish I could thank everyone personally for all they have done for us. It was comforting knowing you where all with us. Now the real fight begins, battling the main issues of her needs and care.
Hopefully by the summer she will be in a better living conditions, till then it will be a long winter for her and myself.
-Troy
2/8/07
Photos of Maureen at the Ventnor Post Office Christmas Party
2/16/07
Press Of Atlantic City Article
NBC 10 Story
2/20/07
6 ABC Story
Press Of Atlantic City Article
2/21/07
Update from Troy DePrince
First of all, I just want to thank everyone for all the support by signing the petition. I hope that all the hard work from the gang at Ventnor and Margate pay off. They have worked so hard for her cause. We have so many people to thank I don't want to say now till I have them all written down. I would like to send a special thank you to Christine Sagnis for committing so much time and effort. Carol Threat for helping me out when I was lost. We are still negotiating with the DOL and WC people, but it is moving forward, just slow. Reen is doing well in Rehab, she gets stronger everyday. Recently she attended a banquet with her fellow Letter Carriers and had a wonderful time. She gets excited when I can get her out and about, my friend has a handy-van he lets me use. When summer gets here she will be out more and be active in the community. That's all I have for now, not much but I hope it is enough to give some people some insight. Some people may disagree with the chain of events right now, but this is how real friends show the love, these people want nothing in return, I offered but they tell me to "get out of here" so I leave.
-Troy
2/23/07
Gloucester County Times Article
2/25/07
The Extreme Home Makeover Petition has been taken down so that it can be mailed to ABC tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who signed, hopefully it will make a difference and Maureen will be chosen for an Extreme Home Makeover.
2/27/07
Press Of Atlantic City Article
3/2/07
After several printing delays - the petitions , video and written application are all on it's way to Los Angeles California to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition producers. Hopefully, Maureen will be picked, and they will come and build her a handicap accessible house.
The Final, final, petition signature count, is........42,571
Thank you everybody for sending your support and good wishes for Maureen.

Here is the petition and video being mailed to ABC Television.
3/12/07
Courier Post Article
4/19/07
Press Of Atlantic City Article
4/29/07
Update from Troy DePrince
A lot has happened since the last update. The big one is Maureen saw another eye specialist, and the doctor said that there is no medication or treatment that will restore her vision. The way the doctor explained is that he is not saying that her sight won't come back, however the optic nerves, to him, still seem to be a white in color rather then the healthy pink or red that they should be.
I'd like to thank all of the people who attended the benefit at the Wahoo in Rehobeth, Delaware. I'm sorry that Reen and I arrived too late to meet many of you, but we got a little lost en route. Thanks to Eddie Lambden and his co workers for all of his help in setting that benefit up, and for all of the donations he collected. Reen and I are looking forward to meeting you some day in the near future - we'll stop in at the Wahoo and say hi.. Thanks to the owners and management at the Wahoo for their generosity.
Ventnor firefighter Kevin Howarth was honored on Wednesday, April 18. The Atlantic County Firefighters Association presented Lt. Howarth with its highest Valor Award for life saving. Howarth received proclamations and honors from the city of Ventnor, as well as from local and state politicians. Even though this event was closed to the general public, I attended this event along with Maureen. Ventnor Fire Chief Bert Sabo and close friend Christine Sagnis set up the meeting for Kevin and Maureen. They met for the first time since the day of the accident and it was extremely moving for both of them. Lt. Howarth was also honored at the state level in Edison, NJ on April 21.
"I can't thank you enough" Press of Atlantic City article
The latest on ABC Extreme Make Over: Home Edition ...we have not heard anything yet. The show is on a quest to do a home in all 50 states and they have never been to New Jersey, so we all have our fingers crossed. The girls form the Ventnor and Margate Post Offices put so much into the application and petitions, I can only hope that we get picked. Thanks to Christine, Barbara, Carol, Walt and all the others who worked so hard. Special thanks to all the people I live and work with in the West Deptford area. Your support through all of this has been great, and Reen and I take great comfort in it.
We are still waiting on the handicap accessible van. It was supposed to be delivered in April, but here we are at the end of the month and I am still lifting her in and out of the Explorer. For the sake of my back, I hope it gets here soon!! I am still waiting to hear back from the Dept. Of Labor about any additions they may be considering for our house. It is still in the bidding process with contractors. Reen's brother Bryan has been anxious to make all the modifications needed but he is also trapped in the bidding process. He contacts me weekly for progress reports and I appreciate all of his support. Reen's brother Steve and his wife Jodie stop by weekly and it really lifts her spirits, especially when they bring Landen with them. Reen sure does love the kids. My dad and Jan stopped in last week and he brought a feast with them. In our daily life of prepared microwaved meals, all the fresh fruit, veggies and chicken were really appreciated. Reen's mom and dad stop by the house weekly and they regularly have lunch with her at rehab. I'd like when Mike Runmaker stops in my office to chat, who has been a great listener for me. I enjoy the morning cups of coffee and I thank him understanding in this most difficult situation. His nonjudgmental support has meant the world. If you haven't been mentioned, please don't take offense. It doesn't mean that we don't know that you think about us and are there for us. We know that you love us as much as we love you. We are in this crazy world together, life changes on a dime. I don't know what is wrong or right anymore, I do know that the woman I married 13 years ago is different now and we will make it together somehow. We are both doing the best we can. Her aides are helping her in a big way. I am grateful for their presence everyday. Lydia has been taking her shopping on Sundays, Reen looks forward to this every week. Aside from therapy and going to doctors appointments and me dragging her to the Home Depot, these are her only outings. Hopefully when her van arrives it will enable family and friends to scoop her up and go out.
Co-worker Barb Ranieri hosted a small dinner party which doubled as a baseball ticket counting get together. Reen enjoyed socializing with co-workers, catching up on all the office gossip. She really and enjoyed the long ride. After the hour an a half car trip, we pulled into her driveway and Maureen quipped, "It took so long to get here I grew legs!" We counted, laughed and ate; a good time was had by all. She needs more of these outings to keep her spirits up and her mind sharp. REMINDER you can buy your tickets for the benefit AC Surf baseball game on July 28. Contact Christine at casvordan@aol.com for tickets and information. Maureen will be throwing out the first pitch.
Maureen's therapy has been shortened. She no longer stays all day at rehab, which she looked forward to and enjoyed. She has been cut back to an hour a day three days a week. This has left her with long days at home alone with nurses. She really feels that she needs to be there for the whole day and I can't help but wonder how much progress will be lost with this new schedule. The nurses and aides at Bacharach really made her feel comfortable and gave her something to look forward to three days a week. She did receive her permanent custom wheelchair which is very comfortable for her. I have also acquired an all terrain wheelchair- the kind with big, bubble wheels- and with that I have been able to take her out into our yard and down to the lake and soon I will be able to take her on the beach, which she is excited about. We both look forward to the ocean air and crashing waves.
-Troy
6/29/07
Press Of Atlantic City Article
Reminder: 2nd annual Maureen DePrince Night at the AC Surf
Saturday July 28, 2007 7:05 PM
Tickets $10.00, with $7 of that going to Maureen
Tickets are available through Christine Sagnis 609-822-4511
or casvordan@aol.com
Maureen is being fitted for legs and we are hoping that she can stand and throw the first pitch.
Please come and show your support and say "hi" to Maureen and Troy.
Your support and prayers through all of this has meant the world to them.
7/22/07
Press Of Atlantic City Article
7/23/07
Update From Troy DePrince
Hi All,
Well, it's the day before Reen's life changed forever and I just wanted to let people know she is doing OK. She is excited about attending the Surf game Saturday and should be able to throw out the first pitch, while standing. She might need to stand really close to the plate, but she should do fine. Reen wanted me to thank everyone in advance for supporting her for the past year and especially for the crew that organized the 2nd annual AC SURF game. She hopes for a good turn out. She will be able to stay for the whole game, Marlton Rehab should give her a two day pass.
Oh, and finally, other than her prosthetics, Reen finally received her van. She loves it, even though it took so long to get, she is very thankful for the vehicle. "Now Troy doesn't have to lift me anymore".
A lot has happen since I last wrote, we got to meet some very interesting people. She attended her niece and nephews graduations, where she had a great time, especially in her brother's pool.
Reen is currently in Marlton Rehabilitation, 92 Brick Rd Marlton NJ. Room 213W. She is working hard and walked 50 feet with minimal assistance. She should be released in about two weeks.
The house is still not modified for her yet but is close to getting started, I think?
The Extreme make did not go in her favor, they picked a family already, so don't ever watch the show again!!! Na, just kidding, I'm sure the family they picked needed more than she does.
Well that's about it for now, we hope to see you all at the game on Saturday. We still have tickets available, you can buy them at the gate, just look for the "Friends For Maureen" sign. Take care and god bless.
- Troy & Reen
7/29/07
Photos of Maureen throwing out the first pitch at the Atlantic City Surf game.