Abigail Kopf's Recovery Fund

From the moment you bring a child into this world, you wonder – and often worry – what their future holds. But what happened to our daughter, Abigail Kopf, on the night of February 20th in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was beyond any nightmare we ever could have imagined.

With no warning or reason, a complete stranger shot our Abbie and seven other people at random. When her father and I arrived at Abbie’s side in the hospital, blood was pouring from our 14 year old daughter’s head, and the doctors told us to say our goodbyes. Moments later, Abbie flat lined. Doctors worked frantically to save her, but ultimately, nothing could  be done. They announced the time, and left us with our baby.

I laid my head on my daughter’s chest, and I thought I heard a heartbeat.  I asked the nurse to check her, and that's when they felt a pulse. She was back. Now the question was, is her mind still working?

Hours later, I took her hand in mine and asked her, "Abbie, if you can hear me, let me know." That's when she intertwined her fingers with mine and squeezed my hand. 

That was 6 weeks ago. Not only did Abbie come back to us, she’s walking and talking. But her path to full recovery is uncharted and may never end.

While she might be able to leave the rehab hospital in the next month, she has a lot of work – and a lot of unknowns - ahead. Doctors say we will have to remodel our home so Abbie does not have to use stairs, and she will continue rehab for the foreseeable future as an outpatient.

We are grateful for the thoughts, prayers and support of so many people. You have walked beside our family every step of the way, and we can never adequately express our gratitude. Now, we hope and pray that you will continue sharing this journey with us. We need you, and more importantly Abbie needs you. 

By helping Abbie Kopf, you will help a community devasted by truly senseless violence recover, because she is a ray of hope in an otherwise horrible event. Abbie, her family, and most importantly, Southwest Michigan will be immensely grateful.

 --Vickie Kopf (Abbie's Mother)