Join us in Blue Taylors Recovery Journey

As many of you know Blue was bitten by a rattlesnake on July 31st and spent 3 days in intensive care before being released to finish recovering at home. As lifelong friends of the family we have enjoyed watching Blue grow into the amazing young man he is today and sharing wonderful summers biking in Telluride together. I hope you can join us in supporting Blues recovery and assist with current and future inpatient and rehab medical costs that are not covered by his insurance. All of the funds collected will go directly to the family to help cover medical costs.

Blue's parents, Tracey and Linde, share their journey with Blue and the details of his accident and recovery:

We are writing this from the pediatric ICU in Phoenix where our son Blue is receiving treatment for a rattlesnake bite to the hand he got while climbing out of Lake Pleasant on July 31st. Two rounds of anti-venom and the timely reactions of first responders and the treatments from the hospital medical staff saved his life as well as limb. That said, there is significant tissue and possible nerve damage. Blue is an avid mountain biker who, last year, won the state championship in Arizona for the JV2 division. Currently he is training and working as a bike mechanic at a beloved hometown bike shop. The use of his hand is vital to his happiness at 17 years old. Blue will have a long recovery until he gains full use of his finger/hand and has had side effects from the anti-venom, venom damage, and faces future rehabilitation and treatments.

Blue will not be able to work for at least a month and Linde, who is a middle school teacher, already missed the first days of the start of the school year as we navigate Blue’s immediate needs. As some of you know, Tracy has just recently been able to return to work due to years of chronic debilitating illness and healing. Just days prior to Blue’s injury our car broke down in California and cost $2000 to repair in addition to travel time and a car rental to get home in time for the school year. After three stressful and mostly sleepless nights at Children's Hospital Linde drove 12 hours to get the rental car returned and pick our repaired car. And just prior to this trip to California we took our three month puppy to the veterinary ER for ingesting apple seeds, another hundreds of dollars expense. With all of these past and recent financial challenges and the chronic struggles living pay check to pay check - the reality of living on a single teacher’s salary, we humbly ask for support from our family and community.

Any financial assistance will be deeply appreciated as it helps us cover initial expenses, deductibles, and future PT and OT care that may not be covered by our medical insurance, which is a high deductible plan. Our out of pocket maximum is $9300 and we are expecting and bracing to surpass that in expenses for the ambulance transport, emergency room services (including the anti-venom), a three night stay in the hospital and rehab costs. The financial ramifications from the medical bills and future care and rehab feel very daunting, and anything you are able to donate is deeply appreciated.

We are doing everything in our power to get Blue back on the trail doing his thing and back to work in the bike shop as soon as possible. It is his passion and community. Thank you in advance for the love. Although we have experienced tough times, including the loss of Lindes Father from Parkinson's complications, this year we have been blessed and have gotten to experience adventures with the amazing friends and family that have been with us through both the ups and downs. Blue is a force and our family thanks you for both your help and support through this very challenging time.

With so much Love and Thanks,

Tracey, Linde, and Leia