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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Ex-Rainbow Taylor still in a coma

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Janevia Taylor

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Former University of Hawai'i basketball player Janevia Taylor remains in a coma following a June 23 automobile accident in Southern California.

Taylor, who completed her eligibility in March, reportedly fell asleep at the wheel and struck a motor-home or RV. She has been unconscious since the accident.

The 22-year-old from Pasadena, Calif. has been moved from the Intensive Care Unit to the Direct Observation Unit and recently to the Medical Surgery III room, according to Rainbow Wahine head coach Jim Bolla, who has been in daily contact with nurses or family.

"Her vitals are very, very stable and all her injuries are healing up nicely," Bolla said. "We're just waiting on her brain to calm down enough to say, 'It's time to wake up.' "

Taylor's coma was initially medically induced as a means of "calming her whole body down and keeping her from going into shock during the surgery," Bolla said.

She was taken off the inducement June 25.

UH assistant Matthew Paton visited Taylor Friday.

"He said she looks pretty good considering all she's been through," Bolla said. "Some of her high school classmates were also there and (Paton) said they may be doing a carwash to help her."

Taylor does not have medical insurance and a fund set up at First Hawaiian Bank has raised $7,919 as of Monday afternoon, according to UH Assistant Sports Media Relations Director Neal Iwamoto.

Donations can be made at any FHB branch or mailed to: Friends of Janevia Taylor, c/o First Hawaiian Bank, 2764 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822.

Words of encouragement can be sent to: Janevia Taylor, 44046 Bogard Ct., Lancaster, CA 93536.