Karen Evonosky

On July 31, 1993, I got in the car with a friend who was too drunk to drive, and while exiting the highway, he lost control of the truck which flipped several times until we finally landed upside down in the grassy area of the off-ramp. I suffered a spinal cord injury which caused permanent paralysis from my chest down.

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