If you or someone you love has survived a pedestrian accident, facial trauma, head injury, or any event that changed how you look or how you live — we are here. Free guidance, specialist referrals, and peer support for survivors across Northern California.
Disfiguring injuries from pedestrian accidents, assaults, or trauma don't just change how you look — they change how you see yourself, how others see you, and how you move through the world. We help you navigate both.
Research shows that 10% of children with serious injuries experience ongoing functional impairment at 6 months, and many don't realize the full scope of their needs until years later. Facial trauma may require orthodontic correction you don't know about until adolescence. Head trauma may cause strabismus (misaligned eyes) that worsens if untreated.
📊 Source: Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Study, NIH, 2024
70% of adults in the US have experienced at least one trauma, and 6% develop PTSD. For children hit by cars, PTSD prevalence climbs to 16%. Untreated trauma disrupts school, relationships, and future opportunities — but trauma-focused therapy has 12-month stability rates above 80%.
📊 Source: American Psychological Association, 2025
Every year in the US, over 60,000 pedestrians are injured and 7,000 are killed in vehicle collisions. In 2022, pedestrian fatalities accounted for 18% of all traffic deaths. Children and adults face different injury patterns — and different long-term needs.
219 pediatric pedestrian fatalities and 17,342 serious injuries were recorded in the US in 2007. Boys account for 64% of fatalities.
📊 Sources: PMC Pediatric Trauma Study, 2024; Child Pedestrian Injury Review, NIH, 2023
Adult pedestrian injuries follow different patterns due to height and center of gravity. Vehicle bumpers typically strike lower legs/knees, rotating the body onto the hood and into the windshield.
Studies show that serious pedestrian trauma results in the highest proportion of lasting impairment compared to other injury types. Many survivors face permanent mobility limitations, chronic pain, and psychological trauma.
Most pedestrian accidents occur at night or during poor weather when visibility is limited. Reckless driving (speeding, distraction, intoxication) significantly increases pedestrian injury severity.
Some consequences of childhood trauma don't become apparent until years after the accident. Early intervention prevents lifelong complications.
Why trauma survivors may need braces years later:
When to intervene: Pediatric dentist + orthodontist evaluation within 6-12 months of trauma. Early functional orthodontic therapy facilitates proper bone remodeling in children.
📊 Source: Expert Consensus on Pediatric Orthodontic Therapies, Nature, 2024
Head trauma is a major cause of acquired strabismus in children. Orbital fractures, traumatic brain injury, and facial trauma can damage eye muscles or cranial nerves controlling eye movement.
Early treatment is critical: If misalignment persists beyond 6 months post-trauma, specialist evaluation is urgent. Treatment may include glasses, eye patches, vision therapy, or surgery.
📊 Source: Johns Hopkins Children's Center Ophthalmology, Strabismus in Pediatric Orbital Fractures Study, NIH, 2024
Head trauma, spinal injuries, and nerve damage from accidents often result in lifelong chronic pain that standard pain management can't fully resolve.
Multidisciplinary care required: Pain management specialists, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health support. Chronic pain affects school performance, social relationships, and mental health.
Physical scars heal. Psychological scars need treatment — and early intervention changes outcomes.
📊 Sources: American Psychological Association; Child and Family Institute; Improving PTSD Treatments Study, NIH, 2025
Complex trauma from childhood requires 15 months to 2 years of treatment, not 12 weeks. Some survivors need intermittent therapy throughout life. Don't give up if initial treatment doesn't work — phase-based approaches show better outcomes.
General practitioners, emergency room doctors, and even some specialists may not have expertise in trauma-related complications that emerge months or years after injury. Here's who you actually need.
Why you need both: General dentists don't specialize in facial trauma or developing dentition. Pediatric dentists understand how trauma affects permanent teeth that haven't erupted yet.
When to refer: Within 6 months of any facial/dental trauma. Earlier for children under 8.
Finding specialists: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (aapd.org) and American Association of Orthodontists (aaoinfo.org) have specialist directories.
Critical distinction: Optometrists prescribe glasses. Pediatric ophthalmologists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat eye diseases, strabismus, and trauma-related vision loss.
When to refer: Immediately if eye misalignment, double vision, or vision changes after head/facial trauma. Follow-up at 6 months even if no symptoms.
Finding specialists: American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (aapos.org)
Not all therapists treat trauma: You need someone specifically trained in evidence-based trauma therapies (TF-CBT, EMDR, CPT, NET).
Red flags: Therapist who says "just talk about your feelings" without structured trauma protocol. Avoid unless they mention evidence-based approaches.
Finding specialists: Psychology Today therapist directory (filter by "trauma"), EMDR International Association (emdria.org), Anxiety & Depression Association of America (adaa.org)
For chronic pain that won't resolve: Requires anesthesiologist or physiatrist with pain management fellowship training.
Multidisciplinary approach: Best outcomes combine medication management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support.
Finding specialists: American Academy of Pain Medicine (painmed.org)
Many of these specialists are expensive and may not accept Medi-Cal/Medicaid. We can help you navigate:
Contact us and we'll help you find affordable specialist care in Northern California.
Disfiguring injuries affect more than physical health. They change how you navigate public spaces, relationships, employment, and your sense of self.
Survivors of disfiguring trauma often experience:
What helps: Peer support groups with other survivors. Seeing someone else who "gets it" reduces isolation more than clinical therapy alone.
Visible disfigurement creates obstacles:
Legal protections: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employment discrimination based on physical disfigurement. California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provides additional state-level protection.
Children with facial differences face significantly higher bullying rates. IEP/504 Plans can mandate anti-bullying interventions, counseling support, and peer education. You have legal rights under IDEA and Section 504 — schools must accommodate.
Resources: Changing Faces (changingfaces.org.uk), Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors (phoenix-society.org)
We don't provide medical treatment — we provide the navigation, referrals, and peer support that help you access the care you need.
We connect you with pediatric ophthalmologists, trauma-specialized psychologists, orthodontists, pain management specialists, and other experts across Northern California — including providers who accept Medi-Cal or offer sliding-scale fees.
Connect with other survivors who understand what you're going through. Monthly support groups (in-person in Fairfield + virtual) facilitated by trained peer counselors. Bilingual EN/ES.
We help you navigate insurance, victim compensation funds, disability benefits, school IEP/504 accommodations, legal protections (ADA/FEHA), and financial assistance programs for medical care.
Todos nuestros servicios están disponibles en español. Grupos de apoyo, referencias a especialistas, y navegación de recursos — todo en tu idioma.