We are raising funds to assist The Ehrhart family as they focus on Sawyer getting the surgery and therapies he needs after a horrible sledding accident 1/24/26.

Messages below are shared from Sawyer's mom:

January 25, 2026

We’ve had a lot of people checking in and have a lot of questions so we figured this would be the easiest way to update.

Yesterday evening around 6pm, Sawyer was in a sledding accident in which he collided with a tree. He sustained injuries including multiple skull and facial fractures, a brain bleed, questionable compression fractures in his C-Spine and T-Spine and rib fractures. He is currently critical but stable in the ICU. He’s been sedated and intubated to help his brain heal. At this time, they’ve been doing “sedation vacations” in which they wean his sedation to make sure he’s responding and following commands (which he has been doing). Then they put the sedation back on to let him rest. They let him breath on his own for a bit overnight and he did well. The biggest concern at the moment is keeping his brain from swelling and trying to assess his neuro status.

Thank you all so much for praying for our boy and sending all the good vibes our way. He is so so so very loved. Also, a huge thank you to the first responders both those we don’t know and those we do (Zach and Ben) being there. Having you two in the ambulance with him helped ease our minds and hearts. Also thank you to his friends who were there and kept him safe until help arrived. Please keep those kiddos in your prayers as well, it was a lot to see and I know they’re rattled. We’ll continue to update you all as new news comes about. Please keep praying for our Sawyer ❤️

Evening Update:

Just talked to the neurosurgeon. Plans for surgery to repair his frontal sinuses and frontal bone fracture tomorrow. He’s scheduled for 12:30.

He was VERY VERY optimistic regarding his prognosis as far as function and life after this. We’ve been told he is a very good surgeon by multiple people. Dr Blanchaert the facial surgeon stopped by and still holds that his facial fractures (eye sockets, cheeks, nose, maxilla) do not need surgical repair. He thinks CT scan of those in about 3 months to reevaluate. He is stable and resting comfortably, still sedated and intubated. Hopefully after surgery they’ll start waking him up and working on getting tube out. Again, thank you all for praying for our boy.

Love,

The Ehrharts

January 26, 2026

Here we go, kid ❤️

Sawyer was taken back to surgery at about 12:00. He was very alert for us the morning for a bit, responded with a head nod to questions. Said he knows where he’s at. Moved his fingers and toes and gave us a thumbs up. He’s also had a lot of buddies visiting today also.

Thank you all, those prayers are working

Evening Update:

Sawyer’s surgery went really well and all repairs were completed successfully and he even got to keep most of his hair

He’s back in his ICU room and resting comfortably. Plans for tonight are to wean sedation with hopes of extubation tomorrow. He’s breathing well on his own at the moment.

He had a lot of great visitors today. Paul and I really appreciate everyone that has texted and checked in on us and him. We’re praying for a successful extubation tomorrow and for good pain management overnight.

Thank you all,

The Ehrharts

January 27, 2026

Sawyer had a very busy day today. He was able to be extubated at about 9am! He has been responding to questions appropriately when asked and knows who everyone is. Hearing his voice and seeing his eyes has been the most beautiful thing we’ve ever seen ❤️

He also passed a swallow trial of clear liquids, so he’s been enjoying some Sprite and applesauce. He’s been in a lot of pain and is pretty restless, so we’ve been trying to manage that and just keep him comfy. A repeat CT last night shows stability of what was repaired surgically as well as his brain bleed. So many good things today. We’re hoping he can get a good night of rest.

January 28, 2026

Last night was a tough one trying to figure out pain control. Sawyer was pretty restless and we struggled to keep his O2 sats up so it was a very long sleepless night. We finally got things situated this morning and he has had a great day. He was able to sit on the side of the bed with PT for a bit which was HUGE! His feet hit the floor and he started to stand and was ready to run (that’s tomorrow’s goal ). PT had to force him to sit back down and take it slow. We’ve seen his personality come out more and more, helping us see that our Sawyer is definitely in there still. He opened his eyes and was able to recognize friends today and even recognized voices as well which always makes Paul and I feel encouraged. Oh, we also got to see his sweet new craniotomy scar We may not always respond to messages and posts but please know that we read every single one and can feel everyone’s love.

Thank you all for your support and prayers,

Baylee and Paul

January 29, 2026

Let me start with, whatever you guys are doing with your prayers out there, please keep doing it……. Because they’re working.

Today started slow, Sawyer was very sleepy/lethargic this am. Kind of a pud day when it came to speech therapy and PT because he was so tired. He did sit on the side of the bed for a while and was able to hold himself up. He was in and out of sleeping until this afternoon.

Flash forward to this evening and he had been talking up a storm to us. He’s grumpy with being hooked up to lines and wires and would like for someone to “find an alternative solution” to having a pulse ox on his finger. He also just tried to negotiate taking his meds for a shower ……..

At some point this evening our kid has emerged from his fog. He’s still very confused at times about why he’s in the hospital, but when asked if he knows why he’s here he says “ya, because I’m cooked”

We’re hopeful that because of his alertness this evening that tomorrow is going to be a really good day.

,

Paul and Baylee