Team Mitch

My name is Tricia Schroer. My nephew Mitch Budke was injured in an accident in December. I am trying to raise money to help with his medical expenses including a prosthetic hand and eye. Mitch is an amazing young man who has responded to this life-changing accident in the best way possible. His family's and my goal is to help Mitch live as normal a life as possible.

The night of the accident, Mitch and his younger brother decided to set off an old crackle ball firework they had found. The firework malfunctioned, exploding all at once in Mitch’s hand. He sustained serious injuries from the explosion including the loss of 3 fingers and most of his thumb on his left hand. His left eye was damaged, and after a severe infection that nearly required removal of the eye, he no longer has sight in that eye. He also suffered hearing loss and will have a surgery to hopefully gain some of that back.

The night of the accident, I was able to make it to the hospital in time before he was flown to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita and I will never forget seeing him lying on the table in pain, his head, eyes, hands, and chest in bandages. He looked as though he had been in battle and yet, he smiled and even made a joke. I was there to comfort him but he was the one making me feel better. When people ask me how he’s doing, my response is that he is handling everything with grace and humor. His adaptability that I have watched on the football and baseball fields and the wrestling mat throughout the years, I am now seeing in his everyday life.

Currently, Mitch is working through the healing process and preparing for Spring sports. He is a very determined young man and will run track and play baseball in whatever fashion he is able. He plans to attend Emporia State University in the Fall. He will major in education and plans to teach and coach sharing his love of history and sports.

The expenses related to his accident, including prosthetics, are difficult to comprehend. He has been blessed with gifts and an outpouring of love from our community and many individuals from across the state. Our mission is to help Mitch write as many positive chapters to his story as possible. Thank you for your help. Your gifts will help Mitch do something great.