Dewey businesses unite to help injured athlete Livi Pejo

Nearly three years after the crash that left her a quadriplegic, Livi Pejo will return to Dewey Beach.

In September 2017, Pejo competed in the Dewey Beach Sprint Triathlon, finishing 10th in her age group. The next morning, as she waited to cross the street, an impaired driver swerved off the road at high speed and crashed into her.

Tests showed her C1/C2 vertebrae were fractured in the crash. Doctors classified the injury as incomplete, meaning some nerve signals were still communicating below the fracture.

Since then, Pejo has worked toward recovery, fighting through botched surgeries, adjusting to limitations caused by her injury, and battling with insurance. “Expenses for spinal cord injuries are unbelievable,” Pejo said. “Insurance barely covers anything I need.”

So far, Pejo’s medical expenses are nearing $2 million. Pejo said insurance only covers 60 days of nursing care. “As someone who can’t even breathe on her own, I need 24/7 nursing,” Pejo said. “We tried to talk to the insurance company, and got letters from doctors, but nothing changed.”

Pejo’s mother, an engineer, worked from home at first, but she was laid off after a few months. “She can’t get another job because I can't get a nurse,” Pejo said. “They don’t even cover the nerve pain medicine that I was on or some respiratory items that I need. Insurance also only covers 30 hours of physical therapy a year. Since I cannot move on my own. I think I need much more than that.”

Once Barb Kursh read Pejo’s story, she felt compelled to help. As president of Races2Run, Kursh envisioned a fundraiser 5K to benefit Pejo’s massive medical costs, enlisting help from Dewey’s business community.

Drew DiFonzo, general manager of Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, said the Hyatt is donating rooms for Livi’s family for the weekend of the race, set for Saturday, May 16.

“Once I heard her story, I knew we had to help,” DiFonzo said.  “We are placing a lift underneath the bed so it’s at a certain height that makes it more comfortable for her. We are proud to be a big part of the Dewey and Rehoboth community, and we want to give back as much as we can.”

Steve “Monty” Montgomery said The Starboard will join Regan Derrickson of race-host location Nalu by providing food, drink, volunteers, contributions, auction items and prizes.

“And anything else needed to make this event a success,” Montgomery said. “It’s vital to us all to jump in and help. This was an incident we’d never wish on anyone. The best we can do is help ease some of the financial strain so Livi and her loved ones know the people of Dewey Beach care and are willing to jump in after such a tragic accident.”

Adam Newman and Gary Cannon of Gary's Dewey Beach Grill, Brandon Smith of Dewey Beer Co., and Jimmy O'Conor of Woody's Dewey Beach Bar and Grill are also contributing.

“The businesses of the Dewey Business Partnership care deeply for this town,” Montgomery said. “The last thing any of us ever want to see happen is someone visit our town and have such a tragic event happen. While there’s not much we can do to make Livi's pain go away, we can surely welcome her back by showing how our community cares for her and will work together on an event to help raise funds toward her recovery and possibly a cure.”  

Dewey Beach Mayor TJ Redefer said he is proud to help raise money on Pejo’s behalf. “Livi Pejo is an amazing woman, and her family and friends should inspire us all,” Redefer said. “Her courage and strength must remind us all not to underestimate the power of the human spirit.”

Redefer was not surprised to learn Dewey is supporting the race.

“Here in Dewey Beach, when one needs help, we dig deep and do all we can,” he said. “We have a unique ability in our little town to understand what is most important about life, and we prove it with our generosity. I am asking all of my friends, family and neighbors to do all they can to help Livi Pejo now, and every year they hold the Hope for Livi run/walk.”

While Dewey plans, Pejo progresses

Pejo said going to Dewey for the race will be her first trip out of the house for an entire weekend. “I’m steadily moving forward, and I’m excited about that,” she said. 

In December, Pejo started working again, using an eye-gaze computer program compatible with design software. “I picked up where I left off two years ago,” she said. “I am designing a few corporate offices, developing floor plans, rendering and putting presentations together. Although I am working from home, I can collaborate with everyone in the office and can go in as needed.”

At first, Pejo said, she was hesitant to work while disabled. “But with all the technology out there, it is amazing what you can do if you just put your mind to it,” she said. “It takes a little planning, and you have to talk to Social Security and long-term disability, but it is definitely doable.”

After two years on a ventilator, Pejo can now breathe on her own; she is completely off the vent. During surgery to implant a diaphragmatic pacer, the doctor tested her phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm and lungs.

“He was surprised with how strong it was,” she said. “Before the surgery, he said with my level of injury and because I have been dependent on the vent for two years, it is possible that the nerve might not respond at all. I was super nervous going into the surgery, but I was so relieved when I heard the good news!” 

Six months ago, Pejo had her first stem cell injections. In the past few months, she said, she has regained feeling in her neck, shoulders, back and upper arms. She’s due for a second round of injections in March. Injections are not covered by insurance; each treatment costs $12,000.

“I can tell that my body is starting to wake up because I have not felt like this since the accident,” she said. “My blood pressure is now normal, and my energy is back. I can now easily move my head, which I was not able to do before, and I can sneeze once again! My spasms have gotten so much stronger. It is definitely much more uncomfortable, but I can tell my muscles are coming back. I believe the stem cells had something to do with it.”

Pejo said she plans to participate in the race. “My sister will be pushing my chair, and I will only be able to do part of it,” she said. “But I will be there cheering.”

Runners and walkers can register at races2run.com. Registration includes a T-shirt and post-race party at Nalu. Guests can also purchase post-race party tickets or make donations online, and several sponsorship levels are available.