Three years after Unite the Right, car attack survivor struggling to stay afloat

Allison Wrabel 11 hrs ago

Tay Washington’s life changed forever on Aug. 12, 2017.

“It basically took away my ability to take care of myself and provide for myself,” she said. “Aug. 12 is devastating for me.”

Washington was driving in downtown Charlottesville and had been detoured down Fourth Street. She was stopped at the intersection of Fourth and Water Street when a man rammed his car into her car and a crowd of people protesting the Unite the Right rally, injuring more than 30 people and killing Heather Heyer.

As a result of the crash, Washington suffers from complex regional pain syndrome, a chronic condition that usually affects arms or legs, and prevents her from working. Just before the attack, Washington had earned her EMT certification and was about to start work, with the eventual goal of becoming a firefighter.

“I am left behind. I am still stuck. I don’t feel like I got the help and the same guidance as other people have,” she said. “I’m just trying to say, who is going to be responsible for me or any victims that are left who can’t go back to their normal life because of injuries, who do we call on? Who do we ask for help? What do we do when we can’t go back to work and take care of ourselves, our family? I have no answers and no one else has any answers, either.”

On Tuesday, more than 30 people gathered on Fourth Street to show solidarity with and support for Washington.

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