Women With A Purpose is set to host a benefit dinner on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 beginning at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Chauncey Hotel and Conference Center located at 1 Chauncey Road in Princeton.
Women With A Purpose is set to host a benefit dinner on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 beginning at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Chauncey Hotel and Conference Center located at 1 Chauncey Road in Princeton.
The benefit will include a full buffet dinner and dessert, unlimited soft drinks, coffee or tea and happy hour drink prices. Guests will be dining outdoors by the waterfront, under tents.
The dinner is $23 per person including tax and gratuity, and guests are asked to donate a minimum contribution of $10 cash or check for this month’s recipient. RSVP with the number of guests in your group to wwap.njpa@gmail.comand.
The September recipient will be John Carbonara, a thirty-nine year-old Assistant Prosecutor and Robbinsville local. Carbonara was in the prime of his life when he began experiencing headaches and dizzy spells before going to the doctors. He was a healthy, young man and an active athlete who rode for his brother-in-law’s Hamilton-based cycling team, Boss Racing.
Carbonara went to several initial appointments that ruled out various medical conditions. On Saturday, November 8, 2014, before one of his scheduled doctor’s appointments, he suffered a very serious brain stem stroke. It was completely unexpected and left him unable to move or communicate for almost two months because he was “locked in.” Many victims of “locked in” syndrome never move or speak again and are able to communicate only with their eyes. Carbonara spent two weeks in intensive care, was rendered immobile, unable to speak and only able to communicate with his eyes. He was then transferred directly to the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange. While at Kessler, Carbonara underwent daily therapy to regain motion in some of his extremities. Since being released he continues to attend physical and speech therapy on an outpatient basis at Kessler three-times per week.
Fortunately, Carbonara was able to break the “locked in” syndrome and through hard work and determination has come a long way on his arduous journey to recovery. John’s speech has greatly improved as well as his mobility. While he is currently still in need of further rehabilitation, John is looking forward to one day resuming his duties as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Special Victim’s Unit, and regaining the eloquent gift of gab that made him a respected attorney.
Carbonara has been on medical leave since suffering the debilitating stroke last year and is hoping to help defray costs associated with his ongoing recovery. His specialized wheelchair cost over $30,000. Carbonara and his family have incurred numerous expenses, including items not covered by insurance. He requires the assistance of a full time nurse/home health-aid and incurs expenses travelling back and forth to Kessler several times per week. His parents’ home required minor renovations to become wheelchair accessible, and the estimate to have his own home renovated will cost approximately an additional $30,000 to $40,000.
The road ahead is long and uncertain, but Carbonara refuses to give up and is making huge strides toward recovery. All funds raised will help ease some of John and his family’s financial burden.
Outside contributions for this event can be mailed to:
Women With A Purpose
PO Box 74, Titusville, NJ 08560
Checks payable to Women With A Purpose. Note in memo section: September 30th Dinner.
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