Support the Walker Family during Dan's road to recovery!

Good day! My name is Stephanie Kirchner and I am raising funds for the Walker Family. Dan and his sons were on a ski trip recently with a group of friends, and tragedy struck on our final day of skiing when Dan hit a tree and suffered traumatic injuries to his body.

After an hour-long ambulance ride from the Porcupine Mountains ski area to the nearest hospital in Ironwood, Michigan, we were told that given the extent of his injuries, he was being airlifted to Duluth, Minnesota in 30 minutes, which is where the nearest Level 1 trauma center was located. The doctor had just told me that after reading Dan's CT scan, he had broken ribs, a broken shoulder, and had broken his arm in three places. This was just the first diagnosis after taking a quick look at his scans, and he told me that more injuries would probably be found.

After a quick talk, Dan and I realized that we really didn't have a say in the matter. Believe me when I say I tried unsuccessfully to advocate for a different hospital. The nurse came to us and said, "His injuries are severe, the helicopter ride to Duluth is 20-30 minutes, anyplace you want to send him is about 4 hours or more away." At this point, Dan and I stopped fighting the medical team and accepted that he was going to be heading to Duluth, Minnesota for an unknown amount of time.

Now in the aftermath of the ski accident we have learned that he broke both his shoulders, shattered his left arm, and broke 8 ribs. He has had surgery to repair the arm, and just needs time and rest for the ribs and his entire body to heal. We are not sure how long he will be in Minnesota, best scenario 2 weeks. Thankfully his wife Rebecca and sister were able to fly out immediately and join him.

As the journey continues we will need to make arrangements for Dan to be picked up and driven back to Traverse City, Michigan. Not only that but supporting him, his children, wife and extended family with our positive thoughts, prayers and well wishes. Any contributions you could make to the family in their time of need is greatly appreciated.

It truly takes a village but he has got this and we have got him.