Hi all,
My name is Carmella D’Acquisto, I am a friend of David Kotke’s and had the pleasure of learning under his tutelage at the Hudson Business Lounge for 5 years. I created this Go Fund Me to help cover $15,000 of medical debt and high insurance deductibles from an accident in November and other injuries sustained in the last year.
When I started at Hudson, David was quick to train me behind the bar, introduce me to members, staff and customers, and help me get comfortable in my new work environment. Well the years passed, and David and I spent countless nights together closing the bar, talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. We grew to be very close friends. Through the years, I saw so many people come and visit David. Old friends, family, customers or co-workers from old bars— and I realized that the fun, love and tenderness he showed me, he has also showed to so many love ones through his life.
As many of you know, the Hudson Business Lounge closed in March 2020, leaving David and other team members without income at the beginning of the pandemic. Since then, David has used his savings and credit cards for living costs while waiting for new opportunities to use his decades of bar experiences as bar manager in a different bar or restaurant.
In November of 2020, David fell down the stairs and among other injuries, cut tendons and nerves in his right hand. He refused medical treatment at the time because he was already paying off medical bills for ultrasounds for the cyst on his kidney and blood clots in his left leg. However, his injuries did not heal and he lost mobility in his right (dominant) hand and needed surgery because hand mobility is incredibly important to get back into the bar tending workforce. The surgery was a success, and he is currently healing and taking physical therapy for a few weeks, and is expected to regain full mobility in his right hand.
With this most recent surgery, and the other medical expenses, and a huge insurance deductible, David’s bills grew and he now owes more than $15,000 in medical debt. As we all know, we have a failing medical system in this country. Anyone at any time can become overwhelmingly burdened with medical debt. David is about to start a new chapter in his life, and has a few job opportunities to explore once he’s completely recovered, but he needs our help to avoid complete bankruptcy.
If David has touched your life, and I imagine if you know him at all, that he definitely has—- I encourage you to give any amount you are comfortable giving, or share this Go Fund Me on social media. If David has ever bought you a drink, treated to a shot of “espresso,” partied by your side, been a shoulder to cry on, a confidant, friend, or the best part of clocking into work, I hope you can join me in supporting him in his time of need. Thank you!
