You may not have heard from Kaia in a while. Here’s why.

In June 2024, Kaia’s younger daughter, Nava, was in a terrible accident. While walking her dog, Nava was hit and run over by a delivery van. Her beloved pet did not survive.

Nava miraculously lived, but now lives with numbness in her legs, severe pain from broken bones, an ongoing headache, PTSD flashbacks, and dramatically limited mobility and was forced to leave school and work.

Kaia stepped away from nearly all of her work to become Nava’s full-time caregiver. For most of the past year, her only income has been a minimal disability caretaker payment. She has used up her savings to get Nava the care she needs. There may be a legal settlement for Nava someday, but that process is slow and uncertain. Any future funds will be allocated entirely to Nava’s long-term care—not to supporting Kaia.

After months of research and advocacy, Kaia got Nava accepted into a two-month intensive recovery program at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Earlier this month, they temporarily relocated so Nava could begin treatment. After just two weeks, Nava is already walking farther and doing more than she has since the accident—the first real sign of forward momentum in a very long time.

At the same time, the financial strain has intensified. When Nava turned 18 in December, all support from her father ended. Kaia is now facing increased expenses related to needing to quickly relocate, along with the loss of her caretaker payment while Nava is inpatient.

When we visited Kaia and Nava in San Diego last week, we saw firsthand what they are carrying. It took some convincing, but we asked Kaia if we could do this fundraiser for her: to see if we, as a community, could circle around her and Nava this time.

As you know, Kaia rarely talks about her own struggles. However, Kaia is someone who shows up—again and again—for others. Deep care and love, freely given. Caretaking is who she is. Asking for help is not.

If you have the desire and capacity, even modest support would make a meaningful day-to-day difference.

Thank you for being here for Kaia and Nava during this tender and hopeful moment.

With deep gratitude,

Niko & Sara