Kenny and Elaine Lubosch are originally from Roanoke, Virginia. They moved to the Outer Banks 7 years ago, attracted to the area by the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T). Elaine, who worked at the Roanoke Zoo, was losing her sight and knew that she would soon be totally blind. She wanted an opportunity to continue to work with animals, even if it had to be on a volunteer basis. N.E.S.T. provided that opportunity.
In October of 2018, Kenny had just started working full-time as a driver for UPS and also worked part-time as a monitor during the beach nourishment project to ensure the safety of the sea turtles. Elaine was a stay-at-home mom caring for the couple’s 20-month-old daughter and volunteering for N.E.S.T. On October 5th of that year, Kenny was involved in an automobile accident while driving the family car in Manteo. The car was a total loss. Kenny suffered a fractured ankle and spinal cord injuries.
A projected five weeks out of work without pay soon turned into three months. Although Kenny had insurance to help with the hospital bills, the young couple did not know how they were going to pay their rent and utilities or even purchase diapers for their young child. Fortunately, Elaine’s social worker with the North Carolina Division of the Blind referred the family to the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. We were able to help the family with two months of rent.
“The Relief Foundation was absolutely amazing. Rent was our largest bill and was the scary one. We would not have made it without the help we received.”
Today things are looking up for this young family. Although they still have hospital bills from the accident, Kenny is healthy and back at work. And this spring they became a family of four when they welcome another baby girl.
