March 18, 2010

To the editors:

The Tropeano family wishes to thank each and everyone for their well wishes and expressions of support. The response from the local community has been overwhelming. It has helped us immensely in dealing with the aftermath of a horrifying automobile accident this past weekend. We are particularly indebted to the first responders who played such a critical role in stabilizing our daughter's condition and in doing so allowed her to have a fighting chance for recovery. All too often we take for granted the roles of EMT's, the local and state police and fire department personnel, but this past weekend we found out first hand just how important these services can be. To those individuals we are deeply indebeted and forever grateful. Also, a special thanks to the ER doctors and nurses at Tobey Hospital.

Of the six occupants in the vehicle, we are pleased to say that four family members were treated and later released from the hospital. However, our seven-year-old son Ryan and our nine-year-old daughter Catherine were subsequently transported to Children's Hospital. Ryan was released this past Tuesday and is expected to make a full recovery. Catherine, however, remains in critical but stable condition. She continues to make progress and we remain positive that she will pull through with the same determination that defines her enormous spirit and kindness. We thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, and support.

Patrick Tropeano