The season one queen will be on bed rest for at least two months and is asking the community for support…
Canada’s Drag Race contestant Ilona Verley is recovering from a near fatal car accident. The Two-Spirit queen from British Columbia shared the news on Instagram yesterday.
The in-feed post spoke about the incident and featured an image of their injuries. It also provided information about a GoFundMe as the queen is seeking financial help as their road to recovery is uncertain.
“I almost lost my life.” What happened to Ilona Verley?
The collision happened last week according to Instagram. The location of the accident was not disclosed, but Verley’s Instagram post suggests they are in Vancouver. In the post, the queen shares how scared and traumatized they are for their future and how they almost lost their life in the ordeal. Their GoFundMe page lists their injuries, which include a bone deep laceration, dislocated jaw, broken nose, concussion, fractured spine and more.
The GoFundMe description also alleges the hospital refused to stitch their remaining wounds after they were readmitted upon discovery they were not properly cared for. “Due to significant blood loss during treatment and a medical interruption, the stitching on their forehead was not completed in the initial hospital visit,” the page states.
The queen will need to be on bed rest for at least two months, but could change depending on if they sustained other injuries. “Further spinal injuries are suspected, unfortunately at this time will be non-visible on initial imaging until scar tissue develops often 5-7 days later,” say the GoFundMe.
Beyond bed rest, the queen will require reconstructive surgery and need to enter a rehabilitation program to rebuild their strength.
GoFundMe page surpasses goal in less than a day
With an uncertain recovery timeline, and additional unforeseen medical expenses, Verley is asking the community for help. Their mother and season one sister Kiara have set up a fundraising page. The campaign will help the queen with their expenses as Verley’s income comes from physical, in-person performances and speaking engagements.
All funds raised will go towards the queen’s living expenses (rent, food, cellphone) and Uber costs to and from appointments. Anything raised beyond will go towards their eventual reconstructive surgery.
Initially set to raise $4,100, to cover one month of bed rest, the campaign has raised over $13,000 as of publication. A new goal of $24,000 has been set.
Support for the queen pours in globally
Messages of encouragement and hope from Drag Race alum and fans have flooded the comment sections of Verley’s post. Some queens like Maddy Morphosis (RuPaul’s Drag Race S14) and Farming For Love farmer Kirkland Douglas have shared the post on their Instagram Stories.
Some of the messages include:
- Venus (Canada’s Drag Race S4 winner): I’m so glad you’re alive. We got you, babe — sending you so much love.
- Lemon (Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World S2 winner): Sending you love and hoping your recovery is quick and as pain free as possible 💛 ily.
- Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs): Sending so much love and healing energy. Grateful you’re still here. ❤️
- Jimbo (RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8 winner): Sending love Sis
- Sarain Fox (Canada’s Drag Race guest judge): Oh my creator! Babe! I’m sending you all the healing energy. I am so grateful you’re still here. ❤️
- Kiara (Canada’s Drag Race S1): Love you, you will get through this. There are a lot more people that love you and support you than you think, so glad you’re still here with us!
- Laganja Estranja (RuPaul’s Drag Race S6): Omg sending you so much love sister!!
We’re sending our best wishes to Verley and cannot wait to see them perform live again!
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