Support Tom and Tania's Road to Recovery

I’m writing this for two of my very close friends, Tom Michalski (mascot of the Cumberland uncouth) and Tania Thiemke (unsung princess). It’s taken me awhile to think of how to put this together or even how to ask for help on their behalf because I wanted to make sure I did them justice.

On the early morning of August 17th, roughly 1am, Tom and Tania were on their way back from moving Tom’s daughter Hannah into Coastal Carolina for her Freahman year in college. I feel partly guilty for them driving late at night because Tom was coming home to help me with my daughters Sweet 16 that evening. If you don’t know Tom, he is the most obnoxious, wittiest and kindest man you will ever meet and Tania is a saint (also the sweetest woman and mother you can imagine). They were involved in a horrible accident on 95 north in Bridgeport Ct. Tom’s car was clipped by someone speeding in the left hand lane and cutting them off, while Tania was sleeping. The car spun, hit a guardrail on the right and side of the highway and then back across the highway hitting the Jersey barrier leaving the drivers side with the most damage and Tom pinned in on that side.

Thankfully the first responders were able to get Tania out and Tom was able to climb out her side (pure adrenaline). At the hospital Tom had to have stitches and emergency surgery. His back was pretty much shattered and now has a full set of rods and screws holding himself together. Tania also ended up with fractures in her back. They are both fitted with pretty back braces lol.

With all this being said, they spent many days in the hospital and are now out of work. Tania until mid November and Tom until atleast December 1st. They both have medical bills (thankfully the insurance is going to help pay for some parts) but also has the everyday bills of living, apartment (which his landlord kindly increased while he was in the hospital), Tom’s car which only had liability and Tania has her house.

If you have the pleasure of knowing these two, you know they would do anything for anyone. If you can help with anything, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for even reading this.