Karen Osborne's Medical Fund
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On the night of Wednesday, November 16, 2016, my sister Karen Hauprich Osborne was ferociously attacked in her daughter’s Frederick, MD driveway by a full-grown female black bear.
Karen, who is also a grandmother, endured a 35-minute mauling by the bear — which ultimately assaulted her four separate times from three different directions.
Initially the bear (whose cubs were later found nearby) emerged from the darkness in a standup position biting Karen on the left side of her face. That single bite broke four of Karen’s teeth. On the second attack, the bear chomped down on Karen’s left arm, biting it in half, severing bones and some tendons. The third and fourth attacks entailed a series of bites and clawing on the back of Karen’s head, torso and legs. As she lay bleeding profusely from her traumatic injuries, Karen curled up in
a ball on the driveway while the bear stood over her breathing heavily. Fearing any sudden movements might provoke yet another attack, Karen did her best to remain motionless until she realized her cell phone was on the ground beneath her. Ever so slowly, using her good arm, Karen inched the phone up to where she
could punch in “911” to summon help. The first try was unsuccessful, however, on the second try, Karen got through to a dispatcher. When asked about the nature of her emergency, Karen whispered information about the bear attack and her location. To do otherwise she feared would surely cause the wild animal to resume clawing and biting her.
Believing she was dying, Karen can be heard on the heart-wrenching 911 recording pleading for God to protect her from further harm and asking the dispatcher to “tell my husband I love him.” By the time police and other first responders arrived on the scene (an estimated 10 minutes later), the bear had retreated into the woods about 50 feet away. Using flashlights to keep an eye on the bear, the police surrounded Karen and protected her with high powered rifles while EMTs tended to her many serious injuries. The bleeding had to be stopped and Karen’s left arm needed to be stabilized
before Karen could be transported to the closest trauma center. That night Karen underwent emergency surgery to repair her left arm as well as receiving nearly 80 stitches to close other wounds. A fractured pelvis was also diagnosed. Although Karen was allowed to return home in a wheelchair after six days in the trauma center, she requires 24-hour care. Her recovery from the disabling injuries is expected to take several weeks and will include rehabilitative therapies. Many people have asked what they can do to help. Since Karen and her husband Ron are retired on fixed incomes and she does not currently have health insurance, I have started this fund-raising page to assist with accumulating medical and rehab bills.
Everyone’s positive thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.
Karen, who is also a grandmother, endured a 35-minute mauling by the bear — which ultimately assaulted her four separate times from three different directions.
Initially the bear (whose cubs were later found nearby) emerged from the darkness in a standup position biting Karen on the left side of her face. That single bite broke four of Karen’s teeth. On the second attack, the bear chomped down on Karen’s left arm, biting it in half, severing bones and some tendons. The third and fourth attacks entailed a series of bites and clawing on the back of Karen’s head, torso and legs. As she lay bleeding profusely from her traumatic injuries, Karen curled up in
a ball on the driveway while the bear stood over her breathing heavily. Fearing any sudden movements might provoke yet another attack, Karen did her best to remain motionless until she realized her cell phone was on the ground beneath her. Ever so slowly, using her good arm, Karen inched the phone up to where she
could punch in “911” to summon help. The first try was unsuccessful, however, on the second try, Karen got through to a dispatcher. When asked about the nature of her emergency, Karen whispered information about the bear attack and her location. To do otherwise she feared would surely cause the wild animal to resume clawing and biting her.
Believing she was dying, Karen can be heard on the heart-wrenching 911 recording pleading for God to protect her from further harm and asking the dispatcher to “tell my husband I love him.” By the time police and other first responders arrived on the scene (an estimated 10 minutes later), the bear had retreated into the woods about 50 feet away. Using flashlights to keep an eye on the bear, the police surrounded Karen and protected her with high powered rifles while EMTs tended to her many serious injuries. The bleeding had to be stopped and Karen’s left arm needed to be stabilized
before Karen could be transported to the closest trauma center. That night Karen underwent emergency surgery to repair her left arm as well as receiving nearly 80 stitches to close other wounds. A fractured pelvis was also diagnosed. Although Karen was allowed to return home in a wheelchair after six days in the trauma center, she requires 24-hour care. Her recovery from the disabling injuries is expected to take several weeks and will include rehabilitative therapies. Many people have asked what they can do to help. Since Karen and her husband Ron are retired on fixed incomes and she does not currently have health insurance, I have started this fund-raising page to assist with accumulating medical and rehab bills.
Everyone’s positive thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Matt Hauprich
Organizer
Redland, MD
Karen Osborne
Beneficiary