Karuna Post-Crash Healing Fund

Dear Friends,

The night of January 20th, 2024 turned our family life upside down when a total stranger, likely under the influence of drugs, rear-ended our car at full speed. The impact forced us to spin around multiple times, and we came to a halt only after colliding with the concrete barrier on the side of the highway. Our doors were jammed, and only Aga found the strength to free Aroon, Alek, and our dogs from the wreckage. Aroon had to lie in the street in great pain, as we later discovered his femur had been displaced and shattered near the hip. A double surgery on Aroon’s leg and broken right wrist, conducted on his birthday, went well. However, only after the third surgery, performed a day after by the hand surgeon, was a positive outcome possible. We’re looking at an extended recovery of 4-5 weeks left for both the leg and the wrist to heal.

Aga has a substantial hematoma on her left leg and experiences pain throughout her body, and is currently unable to drive. 5-year-old Alek appears to be coping the best he can, but the true extent of the inner trauma he is undergoing—stemming not only from the accident but also from witnessing his injured parents—remains uncertain. That night, we also lost our cherished dog Perec, known as Dogson, who ran away and tragically died on the highway. The loss of our furry family member continues to weigh heavily on us.

In the past two weeks, we have endured a great deal of physical and mental anguish, partially alleviated by the immense love and care provided by you, our friends. We are profoundly grateful for this support. However, confronting our finances is a daunting prospect, given the mounting expenses and Aga's sole income from her part-time job. Aga works part-time due to her enrollment in a graduate study program to become an accredited Jewish Studies scholar specializing in the Holocaust and modern Jewish history. Aroon's work, paid based on production and billed hours rather than salary, has been largely put on hold due to the accident and weeks in the hospital as well as the recovery, leading to a projected loss of 3 months’ income. While awaiting the arrival of all medical bills, we are aware that settling our annual copay is inevitable, at the very least, along with many other payments our insurance won’t cover.

This is the time when we must turn to you and ask once again for your help. We are already thankful for the support that enabled us to cover Aroon’s medical transportation from the hospital. However, other expenses are burning down our savings. Aga is unable to drive, and we have to rely on Uber and the rental car that Aga’s dad is using while staying with us. The cost of physical therapy that includes regular home visits for Aroon and Aga’s multiple medical appointments is only partially covered by our insurance.

We’ve hired a lawyer and hope that a trial may bring us some justice in a year or so, but in the meantime, these many costs and burdens are solely our responsibility.

Please, help us to navigate this challenging period, and we promise to pay it forward to our beloved community.

With love and gratitude,

Aroon, Aga, Alek, and sad Rysiu—survivors of the car accident on January 20th, 2024.