Help Zack On His Journey

As many of you already know, this sweet, fiery, red headed boy Zack Strittmatter was in a severe sledding accident on Monday, Jan 17, 2022. He is currently in the Pediatric ICU at Mission being cared for by an amazing team of medical professionals for a traumatic brain injury.


We are so lucky that Alison and Eric knew just what to do when they found Zack after the accident.  They administered CPR until EMS arrived. Thankfully the roads had been plowed just hours earlier which made access to urgent medical care available.

 

Zack was initially on a ventilator for 3 days and sedated.  After sedation was lowered, he began taking his own breaths and is now fully breathing on his own.  He had no trouble coming off the ventilator and is managing breathing, swallowing and coughing on his own.

 

Zack has a long road ahead and there are indefinite parameters for how much they’d expect to see from him in different time frames. Zack’s brain is bruised and will need time to heal and re-wire. 

 

 
Eric and Alison have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support.   Alison said “It really has been the most uplifting part of this tragedy. Every text, every lit candle, every prayer has been felt and held our breaking hearts together while we wait for more news. I’m told not to look at minutes, or even days right now. Just wait. Sit with the unknown and let him show us what he can do.”

 

In the coming days or weeks, Zack will be moved to a Children's Hospital in Charlotte, NC, apart from his little sister Heidi.  He will begin an intense rehabilitation program to start on the road to recovery.
 

Alison and Eric sent the following message  “We ask that you continue to hold him in your hearts, in whatever way you do such things. It brings light into our darkness. We can’t begin to express how it feels to know so many people are with us.”

 
Eric and Alison have the current support of their employers to take time off to remain by Zack’s bedside through his rehabilitation process.   They will be back and forth supporting Zack in Charlotte and visiting Heidi in Marshall.  They will have countless (unknown) medical expenses, travel and general life expenses.  Our beloved friends need our help now more than ever.  Zack’s recovery time is a long journey. We are asking friends and family to come together by donating any amount that they can.