Hi,
My name is Karlie Karish, and my husband is Barrett. We are the proud parents of two amazing little boys, Luke (7) and Jude (6). We’re reaching out with humble hearts to share a difficult chapter of our lives and ask for help if you’re willing and able.
On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, while visiting a family member’s home, our youngest son, Jude, suffered second and third-degree burns on both of his feet after stepping into hot ash from a bonfire. He was rushed to the hospital by helicopter due to the severity of his injuries and was admitted to Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville.
Jude spent 10 days in the hospital undergoing multiple painful procedures and beginning physical therapy. During that time, our focus was staying together as a family. That meant paying for nearby hotel stays so we could be close to him and support him through every step.
After he was discharged, we began making weekly trips back to Gainesville for wound care and evaluations. As time went on, those visits became monthly, and then every other month but the travel and medical care never stopped. In July, Jude began weekly physical therapy, which he continued until recently.
In December, he underwent his first laser surgery to treat scar tissue. Since then, he’s had two more and is scheduled for at least three more surgeries this year, along with plastic surgery on his left foot to address two toes that didn’t heal properly. Every procedure takes place in Gainesville at Shands.
By the end of this journey, we anticipate having close to $15,000 in out of pocket medical bills that insurance does not cover. This doesn’t include travel, hotels, time off work, or other expenses that have added up over the past year.
We know times are hard for many, and asking for help is not easy. But if you feel led to support us in any way through donations, sharing this page, or simply keeping Jude in your thoughts and prayers we would be so incredibly grateful.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for being part of our village. We couldn’t do this without the kindness and support of those around us.
With love,
Karlie, Barrett, Luke & Jude Karish
