I never imagined I would be writing something like this.
On Saturday, December 12, my father, Jeff Zimmerman, was nearly beaten to death while walking our dog in our neighborhood. An individual attacked him without warning. If it were not for the brave couple who stepped in and physically pulled the attacker off my dad, he would not be alive today. They saved his life.
As a result of this attack, my dad spent four days in the ICU and has since been transferred to the trauma center. He suffered severe head injuries, multiple broken bones, and trauma to his right eye. The eye injury is especially concerning because his left eye already has double vision from his brain tumor. Given his age and seriousness of his head injuries, doctors have had to monitor him extremely closely. He is in immense pain and is only at the very beginning of what will be a long and difficult recovery.
The estimated cost of my dad’s medical care and recovery is around $200,000. Between ICU care, neurological follow-ups, rehabilitation, physical therapy, vision care, transportation, and lost income, this financial burden is far beyond what our family can manage alone.
My dad will be 72 years old on January 2, and instead of celebrating another year of life, he is fighting just to heal.
For those of you who know me, you know my dad is my best friend. He is the strongest person I have ever known. For 16 years, he has battled a brain tumor—enduring surgeries, treatments, and constant neurological challenges, yet he has never let it define him. Despite chronic headaches, vision problems, and balance issues, he remains the funniest, craziest, most spirited soul alive. He is strong, kind, and endlessly loving. He lights up every room he enters and continues to inspire everyone around him.
Any donation, no matter how small, will help cover:
•ICU and hospital care
•Rehabilitation and physical therapy
•Ongoing neurological and vision treatment
•Transportation and basic living expenses during recovery
If you are unable to donate, sharing this page or keeping my father in your thoughts and prayers means more than you know.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read this, for caring, and for helping my family during this unimaginable time.
His daughter, Kiera.