My name is Mandi Blakeman and this is my sister, and best friend Karla Alvarado. On Tuesday May 12th, Karla’s life was forever changed in an instant due to a tragic motorcycle accident. Thankfully Karla is alive, recovering at UofL hospital, and she is surrounded by friends and family. Karla is a careful, responsible rider, and her gear, helmet, and training saved her life! Unfortunately the accident has left her with a broken left arm, a dislocated right elbow, and half of her left leg required amputation.

Karla has a long road to recovery, and like most of us, a catastrophic accident of this nature is going to devastate her family financially. She and her husband Angel, an army veteran that served with the 506th/101st Airborne in Afghanistan, both work at Bluegrass Harley Davidson in Louisville, Kentucky. Karla and Angel are wonderful people, and they have been outstanding parents to their children, Lilli and Leo. Lilli is a strong, kind, talented young woman who is a hair stylist, and an advocate for social justice. Leo is graduating high school this week, he is a brilliant musician, and will be headed off to attend Simmons College of Kentucky thanks to a full ride scholarship this fall. I am so humbled and inspired by these kids, and it has been amazing to watch them step up in this moment to take care of their mom, each other, their home, and their pets without question, and with confidence.

My goal is to help Karla navigate her new normal, and ensure she can continue to be the badass mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend that she has always been. Not only are the Alvarados experiencing loss of income, their home will require modifications to make sure she can transition safely back into it upon release from the hospital and rehab. It’s strange for us to ask for help, but I hope that the impact she has made on the lives of many will yield the support she will need for her future. Thank you for following along with Karla’s journey, and thank you in advance for helping us turn this tragedy into a moment of love and inspiration.