Adam was finally able to smile after being reunited with his best friend, Roosevelt, but he has a long road of surgery and rehabilitation ahead of him. (Photo by Jon Carr)

by Jonathan Carr

On the night of March 18, my friend, Adam Markind, 45, was out walking his dog, Roosevelt, in his East Germantown neighborhood when he was robbed, beaten and left for dead near the side of the road. His attackers took what they could, just a few bucks, from his pockets after knocking him out.

Body broken and eyeglasses smashed, Adam was unable to see anything. He cried out for help to passersby for over an hour and a half but to no avail; Person after person and car after car passed by, but not one person stopped to help. (That may be the worst part of all.) When the police arrived, Adam was rushed to Einstein Hospital's emergency room for emergency surgery for a broken hip.

Adam walked with a severe limp even before this incident, so it would have been unmistakable that they were about to attack a handicapped person. I live in the same neighborhood. I hate to say this does not surprise me. I have been physically threatened several times just walking on my street.

Unknown to all at the time, Adam's best friend, Roosevelt, ran home in fear after the attack and was sitting on the porch, where the police found him. They put him into the apartment and assured that he had water and food.

Adam's sister, Dara, contacted me and asked if I would look after Roosevelt, and after thousands of Facebook shares, one of the officers messaged me and let me know that the dog was safe in Adam's apartment. I am now caring for him in my home while Adam is healing.

Adam had just been getting back on track after two years of rehabilitation on his leg and ankle (he had fallen off a train platform) and recently losing his mother. The past two years he lived with me while recovering. I watched him hobble on crutches to the bus five days a week to go to work in all kinds of weather. He made no excuses. He wants to be his own man. I just want to give him a leg up and show him there is love for him.

Adam will need additional surgeries; elbow surgery took place March 30, and he will possibly need a full hip replacement. He will also require extensive physical therapy, which his HMO will cover for only a few weeks. Adam and Roosevelt also need to find a handicapped accessible apartment by April 24. Adam's budget is a mere $600 a month at the high end.

The money raised will help cover all of Adam's medical bills and rehab not covered by his insurance, as well as helping pay for a safe, handicapped accessible apartment for Adam and his best friend, Roosevelt.

Thank you for caring and sharing Adam and Roosevelt's story. You can help make a difference in their lives for as little as the cost of a cup of coffee, $5. A GoFundMe page (www.gofundme.com/Adam-and-Roosevelt?) has been set up to help pay for the medical bills. As of March 31, $4,687 had been raised from 41 donors in six days.

Adam and Roosevelt were reunited on March 29. Adam was elated. Good things are happening. Adam's hip is healing nicely. His spirits are up, thanks to all the love and support from so many friends and good-hearted strangers. He is turning a corner from all the darkness he was under. I am so grateful! It was very challenging the first week. I had a hard time staying positive for him. He was so hurt and had a hard time making sense of why someone wanted to hurt him.

He put on a good face, but he was clearly drowning in depression. The only time I saw him smile and have hope was when I told him about all the people who did not even know him but were offering all kinds of support, compassion and love.

I want to be sure to tell the whole story. Adam has had the support of his sister and brother in-law since day one. Dara has been there every day. They are doing everything they can to help him. A very loyal sister! Thanks again to everyone for being there for him. It really truly has made all the difference.

Here are just a few of the good wishes from friends and strangers on the GoFundMe page – Tim Nash: “God bless!” Carolyn Hann: “I knew Adam in high school. I am sorry to hear about his recent tragedy and wish him and Roosevelt well.” Abbey Koplovitz: “Adam, I hope you are on the mend. Hoping every day you are a little stronger. Sending you some hope in the form of this note.” Renee Handwerk: “Heal quickly!” Diana Greene Foster: “Get better soon, Adam!” David Foster: “My thoughts are with you!”