On Saturday February 21st, at their home in Costa Rica, my mom, Rena, and my stepdad, Joe, were in a devastating accident that has turned our world upside down. Joe passed away in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. The shock and heartbreak of losing him so suddenly is something we are still trying to process. He was a loving husband to my mom and an important part of our family. We are grieving deeply.

My mom, Rena, survived, but her injuries are catastrophic. Her spinal cord is punctured near the top two vertebrae, which can cause paralysis. By some miracle, she is not currently showing signs of paralysis, but doctors have said the situation is extremely serious and could change. She also has a fractured vertebra in her lower back, almost every rib in her body is broken, and she has a punctured lung. She is in immense pain and will require multiple major surgeries to stabilize her spine, repair the damage, and give her the best possible chance at recovery.

The medical costs are expected to be overwhelming, not including long-term rehabilitation, physical therapy, or ongoing care. My mom and Joe built their life in Costa Rica, and now everything has changed in a matter of moments. We are trying to navigate devastating grief while also fighting to make sure my mom survives and has a chance to heal.

Years ago, when Joe's kidney was on the verge of failure, my mom selflessly donated her own kidney to save his life. We want to honor that heroic sacrifice by doing everything we can to ensure she gets the care she needs.

These donations will be directly funding any medical expenses for my mom not covered by insurance, in addition to physical therapy, in home care, related travel costs, and funeral arrangements for Joe.

These funds will be directly transferred to my mom as soon as she is in stable enough condition to receive them. In the mean time, while she is still incapacitated, I will use these funds on her behalf, if and only if it is necessary to save her life or prevent further hardship as she heals.

Any donation, share, or prayer for strength and healing would mean more than words can express. Thank you for standing with us during the darkest time of our lives.

With love,

their son, Ian Murray