Please Help in Jeff's Road to Recovery

On May 5th, 2023, we received a knock on our front door from the Police that turned our lives upside down. Our Dad, Jeffrey Yusko, was tragically hit by a car while riding his bike on his daily route and was airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital ER. He is now in critical condition in the ICU. We ask that you please read his story below, keep him in your prayers, and consider donating to his hopeful medical recovery.

It was a beautiful spring day in May and our Dad began his day as usual. He woke up early and got dressed for his sunrise beach walk. As our Mom, Kelly, got ready to go teach her Kindergarten and 1st graders at Wainscott School, he went to his truck and lowered his wooden ramp that he made for our 12 year old golden retriever and his best friend, Chance, to climb in to go catch the sunrise on the beach, as he has done every day for the past 12 years. If you’re lucky enough, you have been sent pictures and videos of his beach walks over the years through texts or his social media accounts. After, Dad returned home to eat breakfast, watch sports center, and get ready to go to work at PC Richard’s and Son, where he has been working as a top salesman for over 18 years. After completing his shift that day, he arrived home and was greeted by his friend Chance, who knew it was time for his second beach walk of the day. Dad and Chance loved that time together. On his way home from the beach, Dad stopped at our favorite pizza place, La Capannina in Wainscott, NY. He picked up his usual order for us as every Friday is pizza night in the Yusko house. When he returned home that afternoon, he quickly ran upstairs to Kelly to bring her dinner in bed as she is still recovering from a broken ankle. As Mom ate her pizza, Dad changed into his biking outfit of workout shorts, a colorful T-shirt and helmet. He began his bike ride and followed the same route as he does each day. While in the bike lane, wearing his helmet, he was hit by a van in the beginning of his ride.

We are very grateful for the quick response from bystanders, police, and EMS. Dad was airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital. Later that afternoon, mom got the dreadful knock at her door. She quickly called us, her four children: Tyler, Cameron, McKenzi, and Brady. Brady immediately drove our Mom to the hospital while the rest of us drove from New York City, Hoboken, and Connecticut. Our extended family met us at the hospital. As a family, we were brought into a room and waited for any news. At this point, we didn’t know if he was alive or not. Two trauma doctors entered the room and updated us on the severity of his injuries. Shortly after, we were escorted up to see our Dad. The sight of seeing him in that moment was an image that we will never forget. If you know Jeff, you know how active, happy, and funny he is. He’s the kind of guy that never stops. Whether it is walking miles on the beach, to biking 20 miles a day, to woodworking in the shed, he is always on the move living life to the fullest and doing everything he can for his family and friends. To see him like this: unresponsive, machines helping him breathe, and tubes draining blood from his brain, was a sight that none of us were prepared for.

Jeff has sadly been intubated and unresponsive since the accident occurred.

His injuries to date include:

⁃Traumatic Brain injury with swelling and bleeding in his brain

⁃3 broken ribs

⁃Broken sternum

⁃Broken eye socket

⁃Tibia Fracture

Our family is going through the most difficult time in our lives. We are sharing Jeff’s story to update our loving communities and we ask that you continue to pray for his recovery. Jeff has a long road ahead of him and any donations would be so kindly appreciated. We will be using these funds to help my mom with current and future medical, travel, when his ready physical therapy and other expenses.

Please expect updates to come as Jeff slowly and hopefully progresses. Continue to tell the people you love you that you love them and please keep Jeff in your thoughts.

We thank you all so much for your support. It means more than you will ever know.

Love,

Tyler, Cameron, Mckenzi, and Brady