Support Zach's Recovery After Tragic Accident

On October 8, 2024, Zach Bowden, a husband, father of 3 young children and self-employed outdoor business owner sustained life altering injuries in a freak accident while helping friends recover in the aftermath of devastating hurricane Helene in North Florida. His life was spared by millimeters, yet the injuries have left him disabled, unable to walk without assistance, unable to financially provide for his family, unable to care for his children and help with the daily household needs, plus so much more.

To-date, Zach has undergone 5 excruciating surgeries during his month long stay in the hospital to save his legs. Since discharge, he has spent an additional 12 weeks bedridden, followed by 90 days of intensive rehab 3x a week. His wife has spent the last 6 months being his caretaker and unable to work, managing a family of 5 (children aged 6, 4 and 2) and doing all of the chores on a 100-acre farm, that they once shared.

Zach was the primary financial support for their family. Six months post-accident, he is still unable to work causing serious financial strain that is currently being taken on by his wife, Camille, as she continues to care for him, while slowly going back to work part-time and still tending to all of the daily needs for the family, alongside their ever-mounting pile of bills. Their South Georgia community and friends both near and far have helped lessen the load during this time, and the family is eternally grateful.

A new challenge now rises ahead: Zach faces another surgery in a few weeks. This is to remove one rod, replace it with a larger rod, and do a bone graph from his femur to his tibia in hopes of decreasing pain levels, and increasing the ability to stand. 90 days post-surgery, they will go back in to help with some of the bulk tissue that was transplanted from his thigh in previous surgeries.

The future is unknown at this time. Doctors say it could take up to two years to know if he will get function back, and are unable to tell the family what function will look like if it does come back. While in the hospital on October 22, 2024, the Bowden’s applied for government help because they knew this was not going to be easy financially. However, at this time, they have not received any answers from the government, and have received no financial government support. Without their community, they wouldn’t be where they are today. It takes a village and they are so grateful to have one.

Zach is a brave, determined, committed man, and we truly hope to be able to report back in the very near future with good news, as he continues to fight for himself, his loving wife, and 3 beautiful children: Pearce, Sutton and Carden.