#GabrielleStrong #ParamusStrong #EastBrookStrong

Gabrielle (Gabby) Rula, a Paramus East Brook 5th grader, was traveling with her classmates to Waterloo Village for a field trip. Tragically, the bus was involved in a horrific accident that has left our community shattered, devastated and heart-broken. Gabby suffered severe head trauma and a collapsed lung. Fortunately now, she is out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, however, has a long road to recovery.

The feelings of emotional distress on Gabrielle's family is expressed in a letter written by her best friend:

        "My name is Miranda Rivera. My best friend is Gabrielle Rula. We met in 2^nd grade at Memorial School in Paramus N.J. I was new to the school and we were friends, but it wasn’t until 4^th grade that we became best friends. When we went to 5^th grade at East Brook, I was lucky to have her in all of my classes.

       Gabby doesn’t talk. But she only talks to me and her parents. Everyone thinks she is shy, but there is more to her behind her quiet smile. Gabby likes art and staying at home near her computer. She plays computer games. She loves science and is really interested in Space. She is very nice and if you get to know her, she is really silly. We got each other’s back. We take care of each other, always.

      Gabby lives with her parents who work very hard to take care of her. She doesn’t have brothers or sisters, but she has a pet hamster and is going to get a dog soon. Gabby’s dad takes care of her and her mom because her mom is sick.

       On Thursday, May 17th, 2018 our 5^th grade class was on our way to a trip to Waterloo Village when the school bus was in an accident. It was terrifying. We ended up in the same hospital, but she was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. I tried texting her and she wouldn’t answer. I was worried about her. She suffered a severe head trauma and a collapsed lung. My mom had a chance to see her and told me later that my best friend was going to have a lot of tests done and wasn’t doing well. We prayed for her and waited for her to get better. But we waited a long time. Finally, Gabby showed some signs that she will get better. After one whole week in the intensive care unit, they had her breathe on her own and put her in a regular room. I was able to visit her. I was so happy, and she was too. Her parents never left her side.

       I want to thank everyone who has prayed for my best friend Gabby. Please continue to pray for her and her family.

       Gabby has a long recovery. She is going to need a lot of therapy. I am going to help her but we need your help too. If you would like to help Gabby and her parents, donations for her will be greatly appreciated and will help with expenses to make her get better. 
       I know Gabby is going to make it because she has come this far after the terrible accident, but she needs a lot of help. I need my best friend and she needs me too.       Thank you."

The emotional burden on Gabrielle’s family has been inconceivable. She is going to need a lot of therapy. It is a long and difficult road but we know that Gabby is a strong young girl. We are reaching out to everyone to help raise the necessary funds for the Rula family during these immensely challenging times.

Sincerely, 

Friends & Family of the Rula Family 

#GabrielleStrong #ParamusStrong #EastBrookStrong

Information pertaining to the horrific crash: 

• https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/05/17/mount-olive-new-jerseyschool-bus- dump-truck-crash/619260002/ 
• http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/562018/approved/20180518a_half-staff.shtml  
• http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-school-bus-seatbelts-20180523-story.html
  
• https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/paramus/2018/05/25/ny-giants-eli-manning-offers-condolences-paramus-bus-crash-victims-landon-collins/645738002/​