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Before this accident, I was self-absorbed, irresponsible, and self-destructive. I had no direction, no purpose, and lived life with no regard to how my personal choices affected those closest to me; my mom, dad, and 3 year old daughter and 4 year old son. On that fateful night, concerned only with my own happiness, I chose to party with “friends” and leave my parental responsibilities to a relative. Toward the end of the night, I offhandedly tossed my truck keys to my friend saying, “I’m too drunk to drive.” I don’t remember having a thought as to gravity or danger of the situation I had placed myself in; I just drunkenly sang along with the music and enjoyed the ride.
That night I believe God chose not to intervene, allowing me to hit rock bottom. With no place to run, in pitch black and eerie silence, I lay trapped in the crumpled wreckage of my truck. Unaware of my friend’s fate, I began pleading with God to let me hug my children just one more time. Someone called 911; emergency crews arrived to find my friend in a complete alcoholic blackout, wandering around the scene. He had suffered some injuries but none life threatening. I can remember the bright lights from the rescuers’ flashlights shining into my eyes and a voice asking me “Can you feel this?” The significance of that question would make sense to me much later. The “Jaws of Life” were used to free me from the wreckage and I was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital.
I would never walk, use my hands or be able to care for my private personal needs again. Although some might say this was tragic, for me it was freeing. I no longer worried about where to get my next high, the constant need to find my self-worth in my physical appearance. During the entire three months spent in the hospital, I never cried because I couldn’t walk. I cried because I was sure my children would hate me for ruining their mother. I cried because I was ashamed of my selfish actions that resulted in other’s showing me love in totally unselfish ways.
My family rallied around me with love and support. And amazing to me, people who attended my parent’s church came to visit me in the hospital despite the circumstances that led up to my accident. It was through their nonjudgmental love and selfless acts of kindness shown not only to me but to my family that I began to understand what real love was all about. I rededicated my life to my Lord and Savior Jesus. I made a promise to God that no matter what obstacles I would face as a result of my paralysis I would walk through any door He opened.
Despite facing many difficulties, like chronic pain, health issues, long hospitalizations and numerous surgeries, God is faithful. Over the past 20+ years, God has blessed me with numerous opportunities to serve Him not only within my church but also in the community. With the support of family, countless friends, community based services, and state agencies, I have achieved many personal goals.
It is my desire to continue to serve my community and God in any capacity that I’m able. I am unable to leave my house without a specially modified van that can accommodate my wheelchair. The van I currently use is in bad shape and is very unreliable. It has been become a constant worry in my life and too often I have had to cancel appointments and plans because I was unable to leave my house. I am hoping to purchase a newer modified van, which will allow me to continue to travel around the community and visit family and friends. However, a specialized van is very expensive (upwards of $20,000) and is not something I can afford on my own.
To help offset this expense, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive. To make a tax-deductible donation, click Donate Now.
So with gratitude and humility, I am asking you to prayerfully consider a donation. Thank you for your generosity and support!
God Bless,
Karen Evonosky
Thanks to your donations and God's Devine interaction in all our lives I was able to purchase a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country with only 35k original miles! It is beautiful on the inside with leather seats and it runs great. However because it is so old many of the engine parts are dry rotted and need replacing, the automatic ramp needs repaired. However thanks to your continued support I will be able to make the needed repairs and continue to maintain the van properly.
Urgent financial help needed!
November 20th, Jim and I decided that we would travel to Trussville AL, to visit my family. I have not been out of Florida in 10 yrs, so needless to say I was excited! I made sure to have my van serviced because I didn't want to break down on the side of the interstate. Despite my best efforts, my van gave up the ghost just 8 miles north of Ocala. Several hours later a tow truck arrived, talking my worn out van to a service station. Long story short, I made the 95 mile trip home by taxi.
Now having no transportation, I started searching for a newer van and thankfully I found a wheelchair van with only 30,400 miles on it. I am short $454 of making my down payment. If anyone is willing to help me please send your tax deductible donation to my fundraising campaign page @ HELPHOPELIVE.
Wow! 2016 went by in a flash. 2017 is filled with limitless possibilities, adventures, and challenges I know God will see me through. Although others may look at my fundraising goal as too lofty or insurmountable, I know nothing is impossible with God! Old Betsey (that's what I call my current van) is gonna be ready for retirement in the not so distant future. I want to be ready Please prayerfully consider donating to help me purchase a newer wheelchair accessible van. No amount is too small. How did the tiny mouse eat an entire elephant? One bite at a time!
I know it's been awhile since I put any updates. As many of my friends and family can attest, I have struggled with debilitating pain associated with my spinal cord injury. Thankfully through my faith in Christ and the support of my friends and family I have been able to rise above the pain and still have a song in my heart and a smile on my face. I'm not saying that I never have days where I just cry and pray to God to help me make it through one minute to the next. Believe me I definitely do! But it's very hard to stay down when there is so much to be thankful for!
When I think of all the different ways God has blessed me throughout my life tears of joy swell up in my eyes! I thank Him for allowing me to be born to parents who not only love me but love one another. Despite all the sacrifices they would have to make, my parents stepped up to become selfless care givers not only to me but also for my children. Thank you Mom and Dad, for giving me the opportunity to raise my children in a loving home!.
I thank God for my children whom I love dearly. They were very young when I had my accident and had to grow up very quickly in many ways.They not only learned how to take care of my personal needs like putting me to bed at night, but more precious to my heart are the times they made me laugh despite my circumstances, rubbed my head and did their best to soothe my pain. They were often my source of strength despite their their little size. Thank you Will and Paige!
I thank God for my dearest love, Jim. I always imagined my future as a quadrapelegic woman would be one spent happily living alone. But thankfully, God knows me better than I know myself. Thank you Jim for the past five years, they have been full of love, laughter, emotional and spiritual growth as well! I love you very much! I pray God will bless us with many more.
Lastly, I think God for all of you. Thank you for your continued support. Please share my post and keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I am scheduled to receive a much needed new wheelchayir sometime within the next few months. Therefore I will have to install a new locking pin under the wheelchair which makes it safe for me to ride in my current van as well as the newer van l am raising funds to purchase. Because the cost is not covered by insurance, I want to let you know the cost which is around $500 will be taken out of this fund. Thank you once again. Love Karen Michelle
I want to start by saying Thank You to everyone who is supporting my fundraising campaign for a newer handicap accessible van! I have just discovered that many employers will match donations made to HELPHOPELIVE on my behalf.
You just ask for a matching gift form from your employer and send it completed and signed with your gift . Remember to put on the memo line (In Honor of Karen Michelle Evonosky) At the bottom of my campaign page is a link to a large list of employers who take part in matching gift programs. If yours isn't listed check with your HR representative.
I am so excited about the prospect of getting a new wheelchair accessible van! My current van is 12 yrs old. It's always an adventure when traveling anywhere! You see, I hope to post a video soon, showing the funny yet seriousness of my situation. Having a new van will give me such peace of mind. I truly am grateful for your support. A donation in any amount is greatly appreciated, I will definitely pay your kindness forward through continued community service, encouragement to others, and by living each day being ever mindful of the blessings and the privileges God has given me.
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Michelle, We hope you meet your goal very soon, we love you very much.
Connie & Dad
Be careful
Brooklyn pippin
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Karen Michelle Evonosky
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.
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