Bringing Ralph Kouri Home

Friday August 9th, our lives changed forever. 


My sister Kristen and her husband Ralph met for a lunch date at their favorite Thai Restaurant off of 132nd in Snohomish.  After  lunch Ralph got on his 2015 Honda motorcycle and Kris in her car, both smiling and waving as to say "I will see you at home".  Ralph then was waved through by a driver stopped at a light.  Unfortunately what both the driver and Ralph didn't see, was a car driving full speed in the second lane due to a box truck blocking a clear view.  Ralph was hit at full speed taking full impact to his left side. Both the bike and the car were completely totaled.  The accident happened in front of my sister and she was holding him as medical arrived.  There were so many people that stopped to help and for that she will be forever grateful.  News Link 

Ralph has sustained severe injuries; a shattered pelvis, fractured cheek, a broken back, shoulder trauma and a severe TBI  (Traumatic Brain Injury.)  Ralph is now paralyzed and will never walk again. He has recently been moved from ICU  but has a very long road ahead.  He is currently in amazing hands at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, but soon he will be moved to a nursing facility so his brain can heal some more.  Due to the nature of a TBI, this can take a week, a month or even longer..... we just don't know yet.  Once his brain has healed he will be transferred back to Harborview  Medical for an intense in patient 12 week rehabilitation where he will learn the skills needed to live as independently as possible .  After rehab we will finally be able to bring Ralph home.

The Kouris will need to remodel the main floor of their home to accommodate Ralphs disabilities and make it ADA compliant. The remodel will include but is not limited to:  disability ramps, new flooring to remove carpeting, a complete remodel of the bathroom, and the purchase of a medical bed and wheelchair.  In addition to their home they will need to buy an SUV that can carry his wheelchair and maybe, if we are lucky, be equipped to allow Ralph the freedom to drive himself. 

For those of you who do not know  my brother in law, he is one of the kindest men I know.  He always greets you with a smile and anyone that meets him quickly calls him a friend.  He and my sister have been married for 18 years and have a beautiful 16 year old daughter Katelehn who attends Glacier Peek High School in Snohomish.  Ralph loves his family more than anything are giving him the strength to fight every single day to get back to them.

I will frequently post status updates of Ralphs recovery.  Needs may change as we start this new journey. 


Thank you for all of the prayers, love, light and support. 


Love,

The Kouri Family: Katelehn, Kristen and Ralphie