On October 21, 2025 my beloved mother Maureen was the victim of a horrific car crash on the Long Island Expressway. While stopped in traffic on her way to school to further her education after working all day at Lightpath, she was hit directly from behind by a person impaired on drugs driving at an excessive speed. Upon the tremendous impact, my Mom sustained life threatening and altering injuries, including most significantly a Traumatic Brain Injury, broken neck, broken nose, facial lacerations, and large leg hematoma, which makes it hard to ambulate. Her life, as she knew it, was stopped by a brick wall caused by a selfish, careless individual who had absolutely no business being behind the wheel of a vehicle. Her biggest concern right now is healing enough to be able to take care of her family and disabled family members. Her family and their wellbeing are the most important thing in my Mom’s life. As the primary Care Giver for disabled and special needs family members, she is seeking help to be sure those members are receiving the assistance they need. Even as she continues to struggle in her own recovery, she is putting the well-being of others before her own needs. She is one of the most selfless people you will ever meet.

While her love of family and our time together is most paramount in her life, she definitely has another passion, one for horses. One extraordinary wish we hope for her is to heal enough to be able to return to her love of Equestrian sports. As an avid Equestrian, my mom enjoys riding in beautiful Connetquot State Park and competing in local IHA show and Paces. While it is uncertain she will ever compete at those levels again, her hope is to gain enough muscle strength and coordination to one day climb back in the saddle. As a lifelong horse lover, the impending news of possible not being able to ride at her current competitive level ever again has been devastating, especially, and ironically, after waiting her whole lifetime to own a horse of her own, which my Dad purchased for her 2 weeks before this accident. So now beautiful Luna sits at a terrific barn, awaiting her beloved owner’s return so they can begin a life’s journey together that my Mom dreamed of.

My Mom’s road to recovery will be a long and costly one. As our family navigates the devastatingly complex road to her recovery, we are asking for support to ease the burden on our family to help with future medical and therapeutic expenses as well as loss of income during this tumultuous time. Any contribution, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference and allow us to focus on Mom’s healing, being together, and help alleviate the tremendous financial stress that such a devastating incident causes, on so many levels.

Please keep us O’Connors in your thoughts and prayers during this heartbreaking time. Your prayers, love and generosity at this difficult time mean more than you know. Thank you for helping lift this incredibly loving family during one of our darkest moments.