Kenai Peninsula Fair Director Lara McGinnis is handing over the reins after a serious head-on car accident in March.
She said it’s very bittersweet…
Mcginnis: “First I have to say, what an amazing fair board and community I have worked through for the last ten years because I couldn’t see myself pulling through on the other side of this without all the support I’ve been given. And the fair has just been amazing, and stepping down and having to hand over the reins to Katie Matthews, which there couldn’t be a better person to step in and fill my shoes, is hard.” (laughs)
McGinnis was headed south on the highway when a moving van driven by 24-year old John Poiane, driving for Continental Van Lines, lost control in snowy and icy conditions, striking her head-on.
Now she faces a year to year and a half of therapies in order to walk again, which comes after the facial reconstructive surgery and an operation to place pins in her knees she’s already had. Her injuries included a broken femur in one leg and a broken tibia in the other, along with orthopedic injuries.
McGinnis added that she can’t believe the outpouring of support from the community which has already raised over $13,000 for her medical expenses.
Mcginnis: “Oh my gosh, I’m so totally overwhelmed, somebody even just today realized that it’s costing over $500 per week for me to go to town for doctors appointments so they arranged for a long term loan to help me buy a handicapped van. So I’m going to have a vehicle in a couple of days!”
She said she has always lived by the “pay-it-forward” mantra but never expected it to come full circle.
McGinnis said after she is able to walk again she will be excited to get back to her job as Kenai Peninsula Fair Director.