Virtual Hope for Livi 5K looks to raise funds for former triathlete left paralyzed by accident
DEWEY BEACH, Del. (BVM) — Livi Pejo’s life will always be tied to Dewey Beach. Though she was born in Albania and from age 7 on grew up in Bethesda, Md., Dewey Beach is as much a part of her as any other location even without having ever lived there.
On Sept. 16, 2017, Pejo, then 26, participated in the Dewey Triathlon with some of her friends. Though it was the first time she ever competed in a triathlon, Livi did remarkably well, finishing in an hour and 45 minutes for the 10th-best time in her age group.
“I have always liked swimming and biking and had been trying to get better at running so when two of my friends signed up, I decided to give it a try with them,” Pejo said. “I was actually surprised with my time. It was much better than I expected.”
While still proud of her accomplishment, it was the next day that would change Pejo’s life.
“The day started out normal,” Pejo said. “My two friends and I were getting ready to head home from Dewey. Before we left the hotel I walked to the store to get water but never made it back.”
As Pejo stood at the intersection to cross the street, she was hit from behind by a car that had swerved off the road and onto the sidewalk, throwing her 10 feet into the air. For Pejo, this is a part of her life that she doesn’t remember. What she would find out later is that the driver, was found to have been drunk and had cocaine, PCP and marijuana in his system at the time of the crash. She would also be told that she was airlifted immediately to Christiana Hospital with injuries to her brain, neck, spinal cord and internal organs. The most severe of the injuries was fractures to the C1 and C2 vertebrae as the spinal cord injury would leave her without movement from the neck down.
Mere hours after completing one of the best athletic feats of her life, Pejo was now left to deal with a completely different way of living.
Pejo, who had her own home at the time of the accident, was forced to move back in with her parents as she couldn’t operate the wheelchair in her own home. Soon after, the family moved into a different home where Pejo would use her skills as an award-winning interior designer to open up the space and make it more handicap accessible using computer software that detects eye movement and uses the movements like a mouse or cursor.
“At first I had no idea that this kind of eye-tracking device even existed, but when one of my nurses told me about it, I was determined to learn,” Pejo said. “After a few months, I became comfortable using it and relearned how to use all the architecture software that I used previously at work. Architecture and design have always been my passion so I am very glad I could get back to it.”
Medical expenses have unsurprisingly been a burden on the family as they have piled up into the millions due to botched surgeries and experimental treatments such as stem cell injections costing $12,000 each. Looking for financial aid in any way she can, Pejo found support from the city where her struggle began.
Barb Kursh, president of the Delaware-based Races2Run which helps non-profit organizations raise money through running, walking and multisport events, felt compelled to help the former triathlete after reading about Pejo’s story in her local newspaper, the Cape Gazette.
“It was such a sad, sad story for such a young girl,” Kursh said.
With that in mind, Kursh coordinated a fundraising event in honor of Pejo to help her and her family to pay her medical expenses.
Although Kursh had only learned of the accident two years after the fact, it became clear to her as she asked around town about the possibility of sponsoring the event that it was a moment many Dewey residents did not forget.
“Everyone said the same thing, ‘Oh my gosh I remember that day it was the worst accident I have ever seen,’” Kursh said. “Everybody has been gung-ho about getting her back and raising the money for her.”
With the interest from the community, Kursh and her organization were able to create an honorary committee for the event that includes places like the Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, the Cape Gazette, the Starboard Restaurant, Woody’s Bar and Grill and others. Pejo also received support from her interior design company Interior Architects.
So far, the sponsorships have helped to make a considerable dent in Pejo’s medical expenses. According to Kursh, the event has already reached over $10,000 in donations including donations from the Kyle Pease Foundation which seeks to improve the lives of people with disabilities through sports. Pejo has been thrilled with the news.
“I feel very lucky that Races2Run put this all together to support my recovery, and really appreciate this community,” Pejo said. “Everyone’s love and support is incredible – it is one of the biggest reasons why I will not give up this fight. I am so happy to know that so many people and businesses are behind me, helping me move forward.”
Although Kursh has done many different fundraising events throughout the state of Delaware, she admitted this may be one of the most popular she has had.
“We have done so many events for so many different causes, but I think this one sticks out because it is so sad,” Kursh said. “Our hope is to provide help and hope to Livi. People have more time now and people realize that even words with a bit of money helps.”
Though originally scheduled to be an in-person event in the city in May, due to COVID-19 the event was bumped back to August before being moved online, but that won’t stop Races2Run from raising funds for Pejo. The 3.1 run/walk has a number of ways participants can help the Pejo family, from a normal $25 registration to a $1,000 Hope for Livi sponsor which includes six complimentary entries and a choice of Livi’s fluid art abstract paintings which she sells on her Etsy page, LOEreationsArt.
“(Painting is) great! It keeps me busy and gives me something fun and creative to do,” Pejo said.
A raffle is also being held for $10 a ticket or $50 for six tickets with items such as a basket with a handmade beach blanket quilt and matching beach bag and over 20 gift cards to local Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach restaurants.
While it may not seem like much on paper, Pejo knows that every cent will help change her life for the better. While the money will help her to physically improve, it has also encouraged Pejo mentally as well as she has been driven to improve as much as possible.
“It is going to make such a big difference,” Pejo said. “The donations will all go to my physical therapy and medical treatments that my insurance doesn’t cover. Even though this tragedy has left me paralyzed, I am determined to stay active and gain as much strength as possible, and these incredible donations will allow me to do that.”
While the event website lists registration to end Sept. 13, Kursh said that is not a hard end because she understands that any donation to Pejo will be beneficial. While the event may be online this year, the goal is to host Pejo and her family in Dewey Beach for an in-person event next May.
“Everyone is hopeful that next May she will be able to come back,” Kursh said. “September marks three years since her accident and she hasn’t been back to Dewey since so we’re hoping she can come.”
While her life may have been forever changed in Dewey Beach, Pejo doesn’t hold any grudges towards the community and wants the 5K to show she is able to overcome anything.
“No hard feelings towards Dewey,” Pejo said. “This 5K is very special to me. When Barb reached out, I wanted to do it just to prove to myself that I could go back to the place that flipped my life around, and overcome that obstacle. But then when I saw how many people came together and care so much, I want to prove to them that I will continue to push forward and succeed. This is truly the type of encouragement that I need.”
The community wants the 5K to show that it can also change Pejo’s life for the better. With the three-year anniversary of her accident coming this September and with the help of the Dewey Beach community, the day may be a bit easier for Pejo.
To register for the virtual 5K, click here or visit Races2run.com.
