On March 30, 2013 – Chase suffered an anoxic brain injury caused by a near drowning accident in a pool while on vacation. He was non-responsive and without oxygen or a heartbeat for several minutes. It is truly a miracle that he is here with us today. Thanks to some truly selfless and quick reactions from stranger’s poolside, a vast number of incredible medical professionals, and the Lords hand, he has been given a second chance at life.
Chase spent 11 days in the PICU at the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Florida. His MRI results were not promising and showed extensive brain damage from the lack of oxygen. We were advised by the doctors that Chase’s condition would probably not improve and he would be growing up in a hospital. Once stabilized, Chase was able to return to Minnesota. Upon returning to Minnesota, Chase spent 4 months working vigorously in therapy and getting healthier and stronger at Gillette’s Children’s Hospital in St. Paul.
Overcoming almost impossible odds, Chase was given clearance to head home and continue his recovery in the company of his siblings – (Ava then 8yrs old, Tanner 10yrs old) and his puppy Carly. There is no doubt Chase has a long and difficult recovery process ahead of him, but we are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to guide him through this journey. Chaser is a strong willed and determined boy who has what it takes to get through this with God’s help. Throughout our entire journey, we received an unimaginable amount of support from friends, family and complete strangers. We have also been truly blessed to see a side of the world that has inspired us to give back- which is why we started this foundation. We have been blessed to learn more from our Chase and his journey than most people learn in a lifetime!
