By KIM ESTES, Four Points News
The Bhatts of River Place are doing well this summer and thriving, just two years after a devastating accident that put three members of the family in the hospital after they were struck by a SUV while on a walk.
Kunjan reported that Sapna, 8-years-old, is an avid singer, reader and will enter fourth grade this fall, while 5-year-old Devan is “rambunctious” and looking ahead to first grade. Roopal has fully resumed her medical practice with Four Points Dermatology and she has another office in the Mueller area.
Kunjan and Roopal Bhatt with their happy, healthy children Sapna and Devan, who are now 8 and 5 respectively, on a trip to Hawaii earlier this year.
Just two years ago, Roopal, Sapna and Devan were struck by a SUV while on a walk and ended up in the hospital with serious injuries.
To show their gratitude toward Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Dr. Roopal Bhatt hosted a fundraising event last month called Botox for Babes with proceeds benefitting Dell Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
The gesture for Roopal, however, was more than an act of philanthropy. Kunjan said it was “a means of gratitude to the hospital that saved our daughter’s life”.
Dr. Roopal Bhatt presents Armando Zambrano with a check for Dell Children’s Medical Center. Bhatt, a dermatologist at Four Points Dermatology, hosted Botox For Babes, where patients donated to Dell Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Bhatt credits the hospital with saving her daughter’s life following an accident two years ago.
The event earned about $5,000 in four hours. “It was a little fun, whimsical event where the patients got ‘free Botox’, relatively speaking, for a nominal donation. They saved $140. It was a hit,” said Roopal.
She added that it was fulfilling in every sense of the word for both medical professionals and 23 patients participating in Botox for Babes.
The Bhatts were thankful to give back for all that Dell did for them two years ago.
In June 2013, Roopal and her two young children were hit by a SUV while on a Sunday morning walk in their River Place neighborhood. All were severely injured. Sapna suffered head trauma, broken bones and blood loss. “She became critical, but luckily Dell Children’s Medical Center quickly stabilized and saved her,” Roopal said.
Roopal and her son, Devan, each had a broken hip, pelvis and leg from the accident. Kunjan, vacationing in Puerto Rico with college friends, was called home by the Austin Police Department.
“It took us all three or four months to recover. I had to go back to work fast, within three months, but everything worked out well through physical therapy and, of course, much community support. We didn’t get back to ‘normal’ for a full year – after my daughter’s last surgery in May 2014,” Roopal said.
Today, Roopal and Sapna still experience minor side effects from their injuries. “We have done a good job not focusing on the bad events from the accident. Every now and then, the kids remember the circumstances and get sad, but they are very resilient and happy in general,” Roopal said.
Roopal noted that Botox For Babes, which will be an annual event, was supported by her staff members and physician’s assistant at Four Points Dermatology, who donated their time, as well as Dell and Botox manufacturer, Allergan.