'Devastating diagnosis' after Aussie woman's holiday swim goes 'terribly wrong'
Best friends Tiana Sluka and Jordan Robinson were holidaying overseas when tragedy truck just a couple of weeks before they were due to fly home.
A young Australian woman's European "trip of a lifetime" has taken a tragic turn with the 20-year-old hospitalised by a debilitating spinal injury she suffered when swimming in Croatia.
Best friends Tiana Sluka and Jordan Robinson from Victoria were holidaying overseas, like many Aussies at this time of year, when tragedy truck just two and a half weeks before they were due to return home.
It's understood Jordan, 20, jumped "joyously" into the water in the tourist town of Dubrovnik late last month when something went "terribly wrong" as she landed. After bystanders pulled her from the sea, the severity of Jordan's injuries became immediately apparent and she was rushed to hospital. There, doctors quickly revealed a "devastating diagnosis".
Jordan suffered a fractured L1 in her spine, with bone fragments dangerously compressing her spinal cord. She was rushed to a different hospital in Split, where she was forced to undergo emergency surgery, leaving her friend Tania behind in the process.
Stranded and alone in Croatia
"Jordan's mum...was unable to travel immediately due to passport issues and financial constraints," Tiana's sister Kayla wrote on a GoFundMe page launched to raise money for Jordan's medical expenses.
"The anguish of not being there for her daughter during this difficult time was an unimaginable burden to bear." Fortunately, Tiana's mum was able to rush over to Croatia to be with Tiana and Jordan.
"As the days in the hospital pass, the medical expenses continue to mount, and it remains uncertain how much will be covered by their travel insurance. Moreover, Jordan's path to recovery is still shrouded in uncertainty. The physical, emotional, and financial toll on her and her loved ones is immense."
If Jordan's condition improves, Kayla explained on the fundraising page, and "she can come home before her mum Marg arrives", the funds raised will be used for her rehabilitation, modifications to her home and to accommodate her recovery. But if she doesn't recover quickly the money will be directed to her ongoing hospital expenses.
At this stage, it doesn't appear that Jordan will be discharged anytime soon, though she has managed to take "some steps" while in hospital.
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