Zane Williams Lift Fund

I would like to introduce you to Zane Williams, or Z-Man as he is known to friends and family. Zane is an amazing and enthusiastic 7th grade student who is currently attending Elkhorn Valley View Middle School. Zane was born on July 7th, 2004 to Brett and Jennifer Williams. Zane suffers from both Spina Bifida, a defect of the spine and Arnold-Chiari malformation, a defect of the brain stem. Zane requires the use of a motorized wheelchair to get around, depends on both a trach and ventilator support, a shunt to regulate his spinal fluid, and a G-button that allows him to be fed through a feeding tube. He is unable to speak, but loves communicating with the use of text messaging. If you haven’t had the pleasure of receiving a text from Z-Man, you are missing out! In addition to all of this, Zane suffers from Osteoporosis and Scoliosis. Despite the odds, Zane is an energetic and charismatic child who loves all things sports and actively participates in baseball at All-Play Miracle League (www.AllPlay.org). Zane’s father, Brett, has been teaching 5th grade for the last 21 years, and is currently at District 66 Oakdale Elementary.  He spends his time outside of school coaching Westide High School football, track, as well as coaches Zane’s team at All-Play. Jennifer is a self-employed Pilates instructor, who had begun to run her own studio out of the home, but due to multiple hospitalizations for Zane over the last year she has lost most of her clients. Jennifer also coaches baseball at All-Play. Brett and Jennifer Williams have been married for 18 wonderful years, and although their life can be trying at times with all of the ups and downs that come with conditions like Zane’s, they have built a life of love, loyalty, service, and hope.

Why has a GoFundMe page been started for Zane? Because, the Williams family needs your help. As Zane continues to grow into a teenager, it has become increasingly difficult for Brett and Jennifer to lift him up and down the stairs in their home, lift him out of bed and move him from the bedroom to the bathroom. Zane currently weighs 75 pounds, and he should be lifted using a two-person lift, which follows both nursing agency and school regulations. In short, it means Brett and Jennifer should no longer be lifting Zane themselves. It has begun to take a toll on their health. Further extenuating circumstances creating complications are Brett’s hip replacement surgery scheduled for May, and Jennifer is now suffering from chronic knee problems. We are looking to raise $8000 to cover the expenses of a ceiling mounted lift system, complete with installation, neither of which are covered by insurance. This system will be a game-changer for the Williams family. It will allow for Zane to be easily and safely lifted out of bed, transported from the bedroom to the bathroom, and transfer him from the main level of their home to the basement where all of his therapy equipment is kept. We are hoping to ease the financial burden for Brett and Jennifer and allow them to continue to focus on Zane’s health and therapy, while making sure they are not subjecting themselves to further, debilitating injury. The Williams family have brought so much to the communities they choose to work, teach, coach, volunteer, and live. Nothing would make us happier than to be able to give something back to them. Thank you for taking the time to read Brett, Jennifer, and Zane’s story. If you are unable to support the Williams family financially, we would ask that you provide support through continued thoughts and prayers and by sharing this page with your own friends and family.