Selma Hafizbegovic

Although success and wealth fill the streets of Manhattan, nothing gravitates a New Yorker more than the human condition.  We often publicize the story of rags-to-riches, but for every story of success we certainly know millions of others fade into anonymity. 

 

While some of us are fortunate to step on the pyramid of success at different heights, most are not and Selma Hafizbegovic certainly started at the base.  Her childhood was spent in Yugoslavia; later, she faced death as Yugoslavia’s ethnic divide spiraled to war.  She managed to flee her war-torn country and sought New York as her best hope to happiness.  Her intuition proved her right:  she honed her English speaking skills, secured an education and climbed the corporate ladder at Deloitte & Touche; plus, she fully invested her time with family and friends. The pieces came together, and she was looking forward to the best years of her life.

 

This past June, she and four fellow New Yorkers decided to vacation in the Rocky Mountains at Colorado’s Eldorado Canyon State Park, where they planned to spend their time outdoors climbing the Wind Tower formation.  On a sunny day, Selma waited below as two friends started the climb.  With helmets and rope in tow the two climbers navigated the formation, when one of the forward climbers unfortunately dislodged a man-sized boulder.  As Selma stood helpless below, the boulder triggered a landslide and subsequently swept her down a ravine.  She was quickly evacuated and flown to a Denver hospital where she has undergone two comprehensive back surgeries in addition to injuries that include a broken hip, shoulder blade and ribs.

 

Anyone with an acute consciousness has wondered how their life might be different had they made the slightest change in decision—whether you stopped for coffee prior to a traffic ticket or stepped on the train car where you met your spouse.  If you have ever wondered how these incidental decisions may have changed your life, then you can certainly understand how future decisions can equate to changes in the lives of our family and friends. 

 

Even though Selma remains at Craig Hospital in Denver and will undoubtedly face additional surgeries, her attitude is hopeful and her spirit is determined; however, this alone will not offset the extensive medical costs and months of rehabilitation.  While Selma is insured, the hospital has estimated costs to exceed $200,000 above and beyond what is covered.

Selma has chosen to fundraise with NTAF - The Leader in Fundraising Assistance and Support for Transplant and Catastrophic Injury in part because NTAF provides both tax-deductibility and fiscal accountability to contributors. Whatever you can give will help - it all adds up! Contributors can be sure that funds contributed will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a contribution to this fundraising campaign:

 

Make checks payable to:

NTAF New York Spinal Cord Injury Fund

Note in memo section:

In Honor of Selma Hafizbegovic

Mail to:

NTAF

150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120

Radnor, PA 19087

For secure credit card donations:

Call 800-642-8399 or click the "CONTRIBUTE NOW" button.

If your company has a matching gifts program, Selma will greatly benefit from your employer's support. Please inquire with your employer what documentation is required. For more information, please contact NTAF at 800-642-8399.

Many thanks for your support!

To email this page directly to others in your community who might wish to learn about this campaign, click the "E-MAIL TO FRIENDS" button and type in as many addresses as you wish.

For more information, please contact NTAF at 800-642-8399.
Click here to read additional details about the accident http://www.bouldercounty.org/newsroom/templates/bocosheriff.aspx?articleid=2167&zoneid=2