Help Us Help Tristan Mulder Fight For His Life
Donation protected
On the morning of Friday, March 20th, my siblings and I received the horrific news that our 24-year-old nephew, Tristan Mulder, had suffered a tragic accident. Tristan is a very social, fun-loving, goofy kid who loves spending time with his family and friends. While enjoying time with friends, our adventurous Tristan, decided to climb a big tree out behind the house. Unfortunately, that adventure ended tragically when he lost his balance and fell 20 feet to the ground, landing on his back and neck. The fall caused immediate paralysis from his chest down, including no movement or feeling in his hands or legs. Tristan fractured his neck at C6 and C7 and T1 and T2. The joints holding his spinal column on both sides had been broken. These joints make up the essential binding structure that supports his whole spinal cord. In addition, Tristan has a lamina fracture at C3 that is non-displaced. If these nerves had been compressed, he wouldn’t have even made it to the hospital.
Tristan was taken to Margaretville Hospital who promptly transported him by ambulance to Albany Medical Center where he is currently in critical condition in the I.C.U. Upon his initial arrival, he was admitted, and the surgeon and her team helped stabilize and prep him for an emergency surgery that would last more than four hours. During this time, they essentially stretched his vertebrae and fused his C5 and C6 to T2. Thankfully, his spinal cord was not severed, still the compression caused severe injury to the nerves that run off the spinal cord.
Our family is devastated to say the least, and the timing of this accident could not be worse, having occurred during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The current state of our country, and New York in particular, compound the severity of the situation even more. Under no circumstances is anyone permitted to visit Tristan, making it unbearable for our family. We can’t even imagine how hard this must be for Tristan. He is all alone in there with no familiar faces and no family support. When Brian and Penny finally got the chance to speak to Tristan by phone he said, “ I’m sorry. I’m scared, and I love you.” That alone is heartbreaking.
For those that know him, you know how big his heart is. For those that don’t, let me give you a glimpse. Tristan has a smile so bright it lights up a room. Since he was a little, white-blonde haired boy, he’s always been the goofy, funny, daredevil kid with a heart of gold. You’ll never meet someone so polite or incredibly kind, as Tristan. He loves his brother Vic. He loves America, his guns and cowboy action shooting. You’ll often see him with his American flag cowboy boots, suspenders, big belt buckles, and a Busch beer. Tristan has a love for Chevy so strong that he had it tattooed on his forearm. He’ll proudly call himself a redneck, but the kindest redneck you’ll ever meet. Tristan has so many friends, family, and people that love him. He would never hesitate to give anyone the shirt off his back, and now we have the chance to return the favor. He needs our help now more than ever, as he fights for his life.
The road ahead is going to be a long and difficult one for Tristan. And, for his dad, Brian, step-mom, Penny, and mother, Kelly Brainerd, the financial implications for this level of care and treatment is incomprehensible. Although we’ve been given a grim outlook regarding the possibility of the return of movement in his arm and legs we are still hopeful. It will take a miracle to get full use of his arms and an even bigger miracle for him to ever walk again.
To our friends and family…thank you all for everything you have done. We have been humbled and inspired by your out pouring of love, support, and especially prayers. Keep the prayers coming, for we really do believe in miracles.
We have received many messages from our friends and family, wondering what they can do, so I reached out to Brian and Penny. It is with much trepidation that Brian and Penny have agreed to accept financial help in their time of need. They were very hesitant, but we explained that, in many ways, this is all we can do to help. We all want to be there, to stand by Tristan’s side, to hold the family up, and to be a shoulder to cry on. Unfortunately, that’s impossible, especially while we are on a country-wide lockdown. What we can do is release a bit of the financial burden that is weighing the family down. We are happy to organize an offering of love that will provide Brian Penny & Kelly with much needed relief. Please consider giving a donation to the Mulder Family here. Any amount is appreciated and will help.
If you’d prefer to send a check, we have set up a separate bank account for the cause. (Community Bank, Account #5550011535) Make your check out to “Brian Mulder” and in the memo line, write “Tristan Mulder”. You can mail it to: Community Bank N.A. 1084 Main Street, Fleischmanns, NY 12430.
From the bottom of our hearts, we all thank you for your love and support during this most difficult time. Together, through fight and prayer, we will seek the most positive outcome possible.
Tristan was taken to Margaretville Hospital who promptly transported him by ambulance to Albany Medical Center where he is currently in critical condition in the I.C.U. Upon his initial arrival, he was admitted, and the surgeon and her team helped stabilize and prep him for an emergency surgery that would last more than four hours. During this time, they essentially stretched his vertebrae and fused his C5 and C6 to T2. Thankfully, his spinal cord was not severed, still the compression caused severe injury to the nerves that run off the spinal cord.
Our family is devastated to say the least, and the timing of this accident could not be worse, having occurred during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The current state of our country, and New York in particular, compound the severity of the situation even more. Under no circumstances is anyone permitted to visit Tristan, making it unbearable for our family. We can’t even imagine how hard this must be for Tristan. He is all alone in there with no familiar faces and no family support. When Brian and Penny finally got the chance to speak to Tristan by phone he said, “ I’m sorry. I’m scared, and I love you.” That alone is heartbreaking.
For those that know him, you know how big his heart is. For those that don’t, let me give you a glimpse. Tristan has a smile so bright it lights up a room. Since he was a little, white-blonde haired boy, he’s always been the goofy, funny, daredevil kid with a heart of gold. You’ll never meet someone so polite or incredibly kind, as Tristan. He loves his brother Vic. He loves America, his guns and cowboy action shooting. You’ll often see him with his American flag cowboy boots, suspenders, big belt buckles, and a Busch beer. Tristan has a love for Chevy so strong that he had it tattooed on his forearm. He’ll proudly call himself a redneck, but the kindest redneck you’ll ever meet. Tristan has so many friends, family, and people that love him. He would never hesitate to give anyone the shirt off his back, and now we have the chance to return the favor. He needs our help now more than ever, as he fights for his life.
The road ahead is going to be a long and difficult one for Tristan. And, for his dad, Brian, step-mom, Penny, and mother, Kelly Brainerd, the financial implications for this level of care and treatment is incomprehensible. Although we’ve been given a grim outlook regarding the possibility of the return of movement in his arm and legs we are still hopeful. It will take a miracle to get full use of his arms and an even bigger miracle for him to ever walk again.
To our friends and family…thank you all for everything you have done. We have been humbled and inspired by your out pouring of love, support, and especially prayers. Keep the prayers coming, for we really do believe in miracles.
We have received many messages from our friends and family, wondering what they can do, so I reached out to Brian and Penny. It is with much trepidation that Brian and Penny have agreed to accept financial help in their time of need. They were very hesitant, but we explained that, in many ways, this is all we can do to help. We all want to be there, to stand by Tristan’s side, to hold the family up, and to be a shoulder to cry on. Unfortunately, that’s impossible, especially while we are on a country-wide lockdown. What we can do is release a bit of the financial burden that is weighing the family down. We are happy to organize an offering of love that will provide Brian Penny & Kelly with much needed relief. Please consider giving a donation to the Mulder Family here. Any amount is appreciated and will help.
If you’d prefer to send a check, we have set up a separate bank account for the cause. (Community Bank, Account #5550011535) Make your check out to “Brian Mulder” and in the memo line, write “Tristan Mulder”. You can mail it to: Community Bank N.A. 1084 Main Street, Fleischmanns, NY 12430.
From the bottom of our hearts, we all thank you for your love and support during this most difficult time. Together, through fight and prayer, we will seek the most positive outcome possible.
Co-organizers (3)
Deb Lowndes
Organizer
Valley, NE
Brian Mulder
Beneficiary
Jodi Stewart
Co-organizer