Support Danny & Lola's Road to Recovery

This campaign is for our friends, the siblings Danny Barker & Lola Haller.

On April 30th, Lola and Danny were rear-ended by a speeding vehicle while on their way home. They were both taken to the ER, and the driver who struck them was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence. They have both suffered concussions along with many physical injuries. 

Lola is a small-business owner (you may know them as the longtime piercer at Hometown Tattoo), and has been unable to work since the accident due to the severity of their concussion. They have already been out of the studio for a month, with no idea of when they will be capable of returning. Being self-employed, Lola has no sick time or PTO to rely on, and WA State Unemployment does not pay out to those "unable to work" due to injuries. 

Unfortunately, Danny is also unemployed, having been let go from their full-time job less than a week after the crash. They have only been able to rely on their part-time job for about twelve hours a week, and even that small amount of work has been quite difficult in the face of their ongoing symptoms. 

We still don't know the extent of either of their injuries, or how much physical and cognitive therapy will be required in order to make a full recovery. Their doctors have estimated that months of rehabilitation will be needed, which puts their return to full-time employment weeks if not months away.

Lola and Danny are also left without their only vehicle—Lola's beloved WRX–which was completely destroyed and has been deemed a total loss. This leaves them relying on family and friends for transportation to doctors’ appointments and physical therapy, as well as paying for costly delivery services for groceries and essentials. 

The siblings have already incurred many medical expenses on top of simply trying to make ends meet, and are struggling to maintain their household from day-to-day, all while dealing with the physical, mental and emotional repercussions of traumatic brain injuries. The professionals consulted have quoted varying lengths of time that it might take for insurance to settle and pay out for damages, which leaves any sort of financial relief months out, at minimum.

Needless to say, all of this has made their financial situation dire, and they need our help.

When it comes to Danny & Lola, if you know one of them, you undoubtedly know the other, as the siblings are not just roommates, but best friends, and are often not far apart. Anyone who has had the pleasure of interacting with one of the two, let alone both simultaneously, can speak to their seemingly endless enthusiasm, compassion & selflessness. To their wide-ranging circle of friends and co-workers, the siblings are “exceptional & treasured weirdos,” who serve others both passionately and effortlessly. You couldn't meet two more loving & giving people, and they now need the help that they freely give to others.

We are hoping that through community support we can help alleviate their financial strain so that they can be dedicated to their full recovery, however long that might take. All donations will go directly towards covering Lola’s and Danny’s medical expenses, living expenses, and ongoing help they'll require during their recovery period. If there are any funds not immediately needed, they will go towards helping to get a new household vehicle.

For those in our community who cannot donate, we ask that you share this campaign. If the example by which Danny & Lola lead has taught us anything, it’s that many hands make light work, and that every little bit helps.

After seeing pictures of the accident, we are so happy that they are alive. Alive, but now having to navigate life while healing from a traumatic experience. These two are the first to offer help & the last to ask, and if you count yourself among the many whom Lola and/or Danny have endlessly shown up for, it is time we show up for them.