Diana -A NYC 5th Grade Teacher

"All I felt was pain, all I could do was pray and hope for peace."- Diana - Mommy & New York City Public School Teacher at P.S. 109K

June 30th, 2014 was just a couple of days after a very successful year in her career; Diana was nominated ‘Teacher of the Year’.

"I was honored and humbled to share this title with a well respected colleague. Little did I know tragedy would strike just weeks later while on summer vacation.

I worked extra hard that year and was ready to give my little girls (a nine and seven year old) the undivided attention they deserved.  It was going to be a girls' dream summer and to kick it off we were all going to Disney World for the first time.  But, only God knew what would happen next.  It would become the summer that tested our strengths."


On June 30, 2014, after an evening of grocery shopping with her daughters,  Diana started to unload the groceries from the trunk of her sister’s vehicle when another vehicle hit her from behind.  "As I was on the ground, I knew I was in bad shape when I felt the burning in my leg. I looked down to see that my leg was mangled.  Apparently, the impact from the vehicle was so strong that I spun and it tore off my leg. " The car was stuck under her sisters' car, her daughters (who witnessed everything) screamed and the driver ran from the scene...

Diana was quickly taken to Kings County Hospital where the doctors made the decision to amputate her leg in order to save her life. She was later transferred to Bellevue Hospital and placed under the care of the trauma team, where she spent one month in and out of the operating room.

Prior to her accident she was very active.  She was involved in strength training, spinning, cardio-kickboxing, spinning, and outdoor cycling. 

She hopes to someday regain her balance, endurance, and strength to return to her workouts.  But, most importantly she wants to run after her girls and bike ride with them again.

Due to Diana's injuries the doctors had to amputate her left leg above her knee.  This amputation not only makes it more challenging to perform the simplest activities such as walking, but it’s also more expensive.  This amputation requires the use of a bionic leg (knee and foot). 

The best bionic knee on the market, which allows amputees to mimic the functions of a natural knee is about $150,000.

Unfortunately, various activities require different legs, which is another expense.

Throughout her eight weeks of therapy Diana went from wheelchair to walker to crutches.  The quick progression allowed her to return to work before the end of this year with only the support of one crutch. 

"I could not have gotten this far if it weren’t for the outpour of love and encouragement from my family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and even strangers. "




I have a long road ahead of me as I continue to practice my gait and balance in order to prepare myself for the future. I want the most from life and with this fundraiser I hope to achieve it!"

A Timeline of Diana's Journey

2001- Diana graduated college and was looking to start her career working as a teacher.

2001-2007- Diana successfully worked with middle school scholars.

2007- Diana accepted an offer to work with children in P.S. 109k, an elementary school in Brooklyn, NY.

June 2014- Diana was nominated as ‘Teacher of the Year’. She was ready for Disney World!

June 30, 2014- Diana was struck by a hit and run driver.

October 14, 2014- After months of not walking Diana took her first steps.

December 1, 2014- Diana (Superteacher) was back at work teaching her scholars!

December 21, 2014- Diana's collegues at P.S. 109K decided to create a crowdfunding campaign to support this AMAZING woman and help her get her bionic legs, make adjustments to her home, and have that trip to Disney!