Abigail Arellano keeps her son Samuel’s medical bills in a blue folder above the microwave. Four months after the shooting, the bills continue to arrive. From the $1,040 ambulance ride to the $2,841.17 emergency room visit, the Arellanos are uninsured and relying on assistance from the fund that raised nearly $2 million after the shooting. But the medical costs for survivors are staggering, with an average increase of nearly $30,000 in the first year for gunshot victims, according to Harvard Medical School.
Surviving the Financial Burden
Beyond medical expenses, life’s ordinary bills persist for survivors. Rent, utilities, and car repairs don’t stop, even if injuries prevent them from working or sending their children to school. Aswad Thomas of the nonprofit Alliance for Safety and Justice calls this financial strain “victimization debt.” Some survivors pay out-of-pocket, while others open new credit cards or seek help from generous strangers. Jacob Gooch Sr., another survivor, was shot through the foot and hasn’t returned to work. He laments, “We’re really broke right now,” as they exhaust their third credit card.
Seeking Assistance
In response to the mass shooting, various resources emerged in Missouri, including the #KCStrong fund established by the United Way of Greater Kansas City. Victims must navigate each opportunity for help and hope that financial aid materializes. GoFundMe campaigns, generous strangers, and new lines of credit all play a role in easing the burden for survivors.
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