HELP our family get back on our feet

Here’s pictures of me and my dad and pictures of me and my family. My step mom Tracey my sisters Bailee Brynna and my brother Tristen. To say we are very close family is kind of an understatement. My father is the sole bread winner for our family. He is the hardest worker I know. Currently, he owns a Snyder’s pretzel route. His day begins at 3 am 6 days a week. On 9/9/22, my father was working his route just like any normal day. That is when we found out from a police officer my father had been in a truck accident. She rushed to the hospital. I just knew my dad would want me to play my soccer game. He was going down a hill on his route and his truck breaks went out. He came into a construction zone where there were concrete barriers. He had no where to go. A dump truck was coming at him head on. He hit the dump truck going 70 mph. They couldn’t get my dad out of the front of the truck so they had to cut him out from the back of his truck. Everyone on the scene did not expect him to make it through the day. They helicoptered him to the hospital. He had a punctured lung, 5 broken ribs, lacerated quad and calf muscles dislocated in his knee and a broken femur and still has no feeling in parts of his leg. He also hit his head so that was a concern. Tracey rushed to the hospital 2 hours away. She said when she spoke to my dad he was really out of it but even in his state he said tell Tatum to play her game and kill it!. He has a long road to recovery to learn to walk. He is unable to work right now. Not sure when he will be able to. I know on top of all our bills my Hun education is something that weighs very heavily on my family`s mind. The insurance bills have already started to pile up and it’s going to be really tough. I wanted to try to help maybe make it easier for our family. I came to The Hun School of Princeton because of the education here. I also came to this school because I have a dream of playing soccer in college. We are blue-collar family. We love our country and supporting local businesses. Most of all, we are family who loves each other and will do anything for each other. I’m trying to do something for my father and my stepmother to help.

My family has been through a long road prior to the accident. We are a blended family but we love each other as fiercely as any blood related family. From the beginning, we have had each others backs. My step-siblings have been abused mentally and physically. My parents are fighting to get them away from all of this. They have been in a custody battle with their father for over a year. I testified to the abuse I have heard described by both Tristen and Brynna. I hear my stepmom and dad crying over this nightly. It has been a struggle but one that is worth fighting for. The lawyer fees have been piling up and the family court system is highly corrupt.

On top of everything, we are hoping to open a family business in Newtown, PA. This has been 2 years in the making. My Dad and Tracey have been working to open a Jamba Juice and Auntie Anne`s franchise. This has all be halted due to the custody battle and now the accident. It always seems like we take one step forward and two steps back.

My dad is the sole provider for our family. He has been pushing himself running a Snyder`s prestzel route in order to help pay for all of this. He runs two of them . Money has been very hard for us this past year but never once have my parents complained or has my father let us know. I want to help him and my family be together. Im begging anyone to help. Every penny counts. We want to keep pushing through these hardships. We want to be a family. We want to all be together. He’s given us everything and always tries to provide us with the best. I’m trying to help him out because physically, he can’t do it right now.

My dad and I have an amazing relationship. Ever since I was really young we have been best friends. Our bond is so strong. He will do anything for me and always tries his best to make me happy. Along with making me happy, he is the most selfless person ever. He will give and do anything for his family.

Please donate what you can and share this link.

Thank you Tatum DApolito