The family of a new mother facing spiralling medical bills after sustaining serious injuries in a road crash are calling on the community to help with a financial lifeline.

Zy-Asia Forbes, the 22-year-old mother of a nine-month-old baby boy, was involved in a “devastating” accident while riding to work on December 4.

The crash left her with severe damage to her leg and knee, including arterial, nerve and ligament injuries.

She was airlifted to Lahey Hospital and Medical Centre in Boston, and while she was originally thought to have required two surgeries over a two-week period, Ms Forbes has since undergone five procedures.

She remains overseas, where costs are expected to come in significantly more than first estimates.

Her family, who said Ms Forbes was not riding irresponsibly but that a wet a patch of grass caused her to lose control of her vehicle and crash into a parked car, launched an appeal on the fundraising site gogetfunding.com which has so far raised $17,780.

The Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association, a local charitable organisation providing funding assistance for overseas medical costs, provided an original estimate of $80,000 that would fall to Ms Forbes and her family.

However, Ms Forbes’s mother, Adrienna Forbes, said that the bill for treatment will have risen “exponentially” given the extra surgeries her daughter has needed as well as continuing costs.

The family said while Ms Forbes did not have medical insurance at the time of the accident, she has since gained the government Health Insurance Plan, and that the original estimated cost did not include continued hospital care, future surgeries, rehabilitation, travel, accommodation or daily living expenses.

Adrienna Forbes, who is funding her daughter’s expenses but recently lost her job, told The Royal Gazette: “When we received the original estimate of $80,000, Zy-Asia was expected to be in Boston for two weeks to have two surgeries.

“We have been here a month and she has had five surgeries, so the cost will have risen exponentially.

“She had another surgery Friday gone and she now needs intensive physical therapy sessions. They need to loosen up her hip before they can do the final knee surgery on January 26. She has no ligaments in her knee — they all need to be replaced.

“Without the fundraising, she will not be able to get the final surgery she needs to walk again. She is 22 with a full life ahead of her. Her son will be walking in a few months and she needs the ability to live her life to the fullest. She has always given back to the community.”

Zy-Asia Forbes is a teaching assistant and student of the Bermuda College. It is her ambition to work with autistic children.

The fundraising appeal described Ms Forbes as “a devoted daughter and a young woman whose heart has always been dedicated to caring for others”.

It added: “She was working part-time while studying at Bermuda College and was months away from obtaining her associates degree and a full-time job that would have provided comprehensive insurance.

“The accident happened before that transition could take place, leaving her uninsured at the time of the accident.”

Appealing to the community for continued help, it added: “Every contribution goes directly to Zy-Asia’s medical care, rehabilitation and essential support for her and her baby.

“Donations will also help cover travel, accommodation and daily living costs for her caregiver during this prolonged recovery period.”

The family said they hope to transport Ms Forbes’s young son to Boston for a few weeks so that he can be with his mother.

They wrote: “Being reunited with her baby would provide tremendous emotional comfort and strength as she continues to heal …

“Any assistance in making these reunions and travel possible would mean more to our family than words can express.

“Thank you for standing with us during this unimaginable time. Your love, kindness and generosity are a source of strength and hope as Zy-Asia continues her fight towards recovery.”

Surgeons had to perform an emergency vascular bypass using a vein from Ms Forbes’s other leg just to save blood flow.

With no remaining ligaments, her knee required external rods and pins to hold it together.

She also underwent a life-saving fasciotomy to relieve pressure and prevent permanent damage, leaving her with painful open wounds.

The family added: “Despite having multiple surgeries to keep the open wounds clean, Zy-Asia developed a serious infection that has forced doctors to reopen the wound that they surgically closed on December 10. Her wounds delay the critical reconstructive surgeries.

“Each setback has been heartbreaking, prolonging her hospital stay and pushing her recovery further into the future.

“Zy-Asia’s road ahead will be long and difficult. She faces more surgeries, months of rehabilitation and the emotional challenge of being separated from normal life while fighting to heal — away from home and her baby.”

Ms Forbes’s mother thanked the community for their assistance so far, but said a lot more funds were needed.

Rosa’s Cantina, on Front Street, is running an offer until February 15 where funds from a special “Mother’s Love” drink will go towards the family’s medical expenses.