GoFundMe starts to support family after loss of child, house

Single mother Dilcia Resnik is struggling with the death of her 12-year-old daughter, and striving to put her life back together.

Resnik’s life revolved around her children, Karolina and Trevor. Karolina died after a house fire Sept. 8 and Resnik is now reaching out to the community for help.

Karolina, who was autistic and nonverbal, was described by her family and teachers as “a bright light who lit up her world.”

Resnik admitted the unexpected loss of her daughter “has not only left me devastated, but has also resulted in the loss of our home and everything we owned, including the online boutique I operated from our house. Karolina’s Boutique, which was founded by Karolina’s deep passion for fashion, art, and design, was a manifestation of her creativity and communication.”

According to Resnik, she had been working from home for the past few years to provide for Karolina’s various needs, including therapy, and pursuing an advanced degree in psychology.

“Unfortunately, the lack of insurance coverage for our property and business has now left Trevor and myself homeless and without any assets,” she said. “We are fundraising to rebuild our lives after this devastating loss.”

Although friends are helping, Resnik said, “I feel lost. I don’t know what to do. I started the clothing business four years ago, and it was because she loved fashion and we drew our dresses.”

Resnik’s goal is “to get back on my feet. I have worked in different places, and I was getting different certification for mental health. I also have done translations (transcriptions) at home. It gave me more time to take care of Karolina.”

She did transcriptions in English, Spanish and Italian, but without her equipment said she’s unable to continue since “all my computers and everything is gone.”

Many of her family members live in Barcelona, Spain, and her mother lives in Honduras, Resnik said. However, Poplar Bluff is her son’s home. “He’s 14 years old. He’s a freshman. He’s in the football team and in high school.”

Resnik has lived in Poplar Bluff since 2005 and while she thought about returning to Spain, she knew the resources at the local schools were better for her children.

Currently, friends are assisting her in try to reach her goal of “finding a place to live and to get the back on my feet.”

A GoFundMe page titled “Help rebuild our lives after the tragic loss of Karolina” is open for anyone who would like to assist Resnik and her family. As of press time Friday, almost $2,000 of the $20,000 goal had been raised.

Tributes from community

While every mother considers their children “truly extraordinary.” Karolina’s teachers and workers said they agreed with Resnik.

Educator Jessica Schindler wrote, “I have so many memories of your beautiful Karolina. I feel blessed to have known her both as a toddler/preschooler and then we were reunited the last three years in upper elementary. She was a girly girl, a sassy fashionista, and the ultimate foodie. I loved when she would be happy/excited and come zooming in close to my face with her eyes locked on mine with a giggle, lol I also loved when she would tell me ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ with her AAC device. I know she is with Jesus, and what a beautiful angel she surely is!! Until we meet again, Karolina.”

Jerri Ann Rowland, who worked with Karolina at BizZee Kidz Therapy, said, “Karolina’s big smile was real. She sure enjoyed life and certainly brought happiness to the entire BizZee Kidz family. She will be missed by all that had the pleasure to know her.”

Middle school special education teacher Justin Knapp said, “Karolina was a bright light that lit up the darkest room. She was a very smart and talented young lady that will be dearly missed.”

Jeremy Dawe, former classroom aid, recalls Karolina as one who “grabbed the attention of any room she was in. She was pretty independent as a student.”