Southern California nurse retires after accident and is paralyzed

A Southern California nurse is ending her career with bittersweet condolences after an accident left her paralyzed from the chest down.

Deanne Niedziela was a charge nurse at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, where she directed the Spine and Neuroscience Institute and the Acute Care Service. She has worked in healthcare for over 30 years and has dedicated her life to saving others.

She was on a dream vacation to waterfalls in Costa Rica that ended in tragedy when a branch fell and crushed her spinal cord.

After a nine-hour life-saving operation, Niedziela survived but was paralyzed from the chest down.

“This is a tragic accident that happened to me, but I have no control over it,” Niedziela said. “I can’t turn back the calendar.”

Niedziela flew back home and spent months recovering in the same hospital to which she had dedicated her career.

“I am just very grateful to the nurses who took care of me,” said Niedziela.

She said the mentoring she received from her colleagues was fulfilling in many ways.

“Patients come and go, but it’s the colleagues that make this workplace so special, and Mission Viejo Hospital is a special place,” she said.

On Friday, Niedziela was greeted by her colleagues at the hospital for an honorable farewell.

Colleagues said Niedziela has always been a shining example to others and continues to be so after decades in the industry.

“To have cared for patients and led the Spine Institute and participated as a patient is truly an extraordinary triumph of courage and strength,” said Cherri Fox, nursing director and Niedziela’s colleague.

Niedziela will now focus on the next chapter of her life and work to regain her independence.

“Nobody gets a (farewell) reception in the lobby. The fact that they do this and host such a special reception for me just makes me feel like my colleagues are just great people,” Niedziela said.

As she makes her final rounds at the hospital, she reflects on the time she spent there and remembers all the fond memories of the rewarding career she loved so much.

“I am just so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life,” Niedziela said through tears.

A GoFundMe page to help Niedziela cover her medical expenses and the cost of bringing her home into compliance with ADA regulations can be found here.