NYC Artist Paralyzed After Being Shoved on Subway Track

Emine Yilmaz Ozsoy’s friends started a GoFundMe to cover her growing medical expenses. (screenshot Elaine Velie/Hyperallergic)

Emine Yilmaz Ozsoy, a 35-year-old artist and illustrator living in New York, was reportedly left partially paralyzed after a man pushed her against a departing train car. The unprovoked attack occurred at approximately 6am at the Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street station in Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Sunday, May 21. Ozsoy remains in the hospital and 39-year-old suspect Kamral Semrade has been charged with attempted murder.

Ozsoy, who lives in Jackson Heights, Queens, was on her morning commute to work when the incident took place. Ozsoy moved to New York from Turkey in 2017 to pursue a career as an artist and illustrator and worked as a barista on the side. Her designs have been featured in outlets such as Chicago Magazine and NPR, and she won an American Illustration award in 2021. The artist shares her colorful, quasi-abstract drawings and paintings on her Instagram and on an online shop.

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Ozsoy’s friends started a GoFundMe to cover her growing medical expenses, raising nearly $200,000 so far. Emine’s husband Ferdi Oszoy — her only family in the United States — said in a statement that he is trying to secure emergency visas for her relatives to visit.

“Her mobility is expected to be affected, greatly impacting her daily life,” Ferdi said of his wife. Doctors initially thought Emine would be paralyzed from the neck down, but she has gained movement in her arms.

“But of course, faith and hope are never-ending,” Ferdi stated. “She’s young. She’s a strong woman. She’s creative. She’s empathetic. She’s a warrior. She’s a true friend who goes out of her way to help people.”

Kamral Semrade was arrested on Monday in Queens and charged with attempted murder and assault. His lawyer said he has no prior criminal history. Semrade’s arraignment took place Wednesday and he is being held without bail.

Source: Hyperallergic.com

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