TJ Willhite - Support Fund
Donation protected
Yesterday TJ was out doing what he loved, spending the weekend with his best buddies, snowmobiling and creating memories- a tradition that started 19 years ago this weekend when we lost Derek Owens to an avalanche.
These boys ride as safe as you possibly can because of that weekend many years ago, but unfortunately, a moment of misjudgement resulted in TJ and his sled falling approximately 300 feet down a rocky mountain slope.
A stroke of luck had a member of McCall Fire & Rescue, an EMT (Heather), & a member of the USFS Payette Avalanche team in the area skiing - as the boys went to notify everyone in their group, they encountered these angels, and thanks to their expertise and emergency gear on hand, they were able to work together to get TJ out of the mountains, an ordeal that took 6 hours, as a helicopter could not make it in due to snowy weather. Assuming that some very important bones were broken, and not knowing what was going on internally, everyone worked together to get him out as safely as they could - a distance of 20+ miles.
After being assessed at the hospital in McCall, it was determined that Boise was the place he needed to be, and he was flown by helicopter to Boise about 10 last night. Tolli was able to get to Boise early this morning, and is at the hospital with him now.
What we know is this - TJ is as tough as they come. He has a broken collarbone, 9 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, fractured lumbar, and a crack in his pelvis; but he is still with us.
He has a hell of a recovery ahead of him. We first need to get him to a point he can come home to his boys - Jack, Nate and Matt. (updates on when/how that will happen to come). Once home, there will be no work for quite some time, and of course the dreaded medical bills will start coming.
While we all want to help, it is too soon to know how that can best happen - so for now I just want to create a cushion they can use to get TJ home, and prepare for the recovery phase.
Chad and I are so lucky to have TJ as our brother (no in-law here), we will be with him every step of the way. Please keep TJ, Tolli and the boys in your thoughts and prayers.
A special thank you to McCall Fire & Rescue, Search & Rescue, and USFS Avalanche Specialist, along with all heathcare workers who have been involved in his care.
Thank you...updates to come.
These boys ride as safe as you possibly can because of that weekend many years ago, but unfortunately, a moment of misjudgement resulted in TJ and his sled falling approximately 300 feet down a rocky mountain slope.
A stroke of luck had a member of McCall Fire & Rescue, an EMT (Heather), & a member of the USFS Payette Avalanche team in the area skiing - as the boys went to notify everyone in their group, they encountered these angels, and thanks to their expertise and emergency gear on hand, they were able to work together to get TJ out of the mountains, an ordeal that took 6 hours, as a helicopter could not make it in due to snowy weather. Assuming that some very important bones were broken, and not knowing what was going on internally, everyone worked together to get him out as safely as they could - a distance of 20+ miles.
After being assessed at the hospital in McCall, it was determined that Boise was the place he needed to be, and he was flown by helicopter to Boise about 10 last night. Tolli was able to get to Boise early this morning, and is at the hospital with him now.
What we know is this - TJ is as tough as they come. He has a broken collarbone, 9 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, fractured lumbar, and a crack in his pelvis; but he is still with us.
He has a hell of a recovery ahead of him. We first need to get him to a point he can come home to his boys - Jack, Nate and Matt. (updates on when/how that will happen to come). Once home, there will be no work for quite some time, and of course the dreaded medical bills will start coming.
While we all want to help, it is too soon to know how that can best happen - so for now I just want to create a cushion they can use to get TJ home, and prepare for the recovery phase.
Chad and I are so lucky to have TJ as our brother (no in-law here), we will be with him every step of the way. Please keep TJ, Tolli and the boys in your thoughts and prayers.
A special thank you to McCall Fire & Rescue, Search & Rescue, and USFS Avalanche Specialist, along with all heathcare workers who have been involved in his care.
Thank you...updates to come.
Organiser and beneficiary
Shae Owens
Organiser
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Tolli Willhite
Beneficiary